Connectionist modeling theory - Essay Example

PAPER PROPOSAL Yeon Hee Han My proposal uses the connectionist modeling theory. It is mainly a theory of cognition as well as information processing. It is also very tied in with linguistics because it has been used to explain linguistic processes. This model saw cognitive behavior as similar to computational functions wherein each thought can be seem as an algorithm, or a set pattern of processes and reactions. In this perspective, thoughts function as a preset train of phenomena which lead to the final concept that a person has in mind, developed from the reaction of the person to the object as perceived in the brain.

Connectionist theory has also been used to explain language. Connectionist theory is basically the process of seeing a connection between the input (perception) and the output (language) (McMurray 2000). The mental processes as explained above are a large part of the processes. Connectionist theory tries to understand how the brain or the neural network makes connections between the input and the output. Basically, it is connection the perceived data with the ideas that come out as output.

Connectionist theory comes up with formulas that try to explain the process in creation of words, starting from the understanding of the stimulus, Linguistics has tried to come up with theories to understand language development. But it has largely ignored mental processes. Language is also connected to mental processes. What one thinks, that becomes language. Connectionist theory tries to explain how this process happens. Connections are made between the stimuli and the output. This evolves to how the mind reacts to word as well as objects.

It also goes to how the various networks within the brain cause the connections to change – yet another part of the theory. Connectionist theory is thus very interesting in helping linguists map the mental processes in creating ideas. My proposed paper will study the connectionist theory and how it benefits in the study of linguistics. Aside from looking at the basic principles of connectionist theory, the proposed study will look for the most common patterns about how ideas become words using the connectionist perspective.

Smith and Samuelson (2003) studied the dissimilarity between the two emergentist theories, connectionism and dynamic systems theory. Both the theories differ in the manner they study development. The authors in the study assert the differences between connectionist and dynamic systems approaches in terms of the basic elements of the paradigms, what they consider as the purpose of study, how they look at the nature of knowledge and their concepts of developmental change indicate that they each theory offers different and distinctive contributions to a more comprehensive theory of development.

Another very specific study is by Rohde and Plaut (2003) which suggests that conventional models to language processing have been founded on clear, distinct representations which are difficult to learn from a realistic linguistic environment, therefore, it is acknowledged that most of the linguistic symbolism and knowledge is inborn. The study also discusses, through the connectionist model, the ability of individuals to learn from the environment where there is lack of complete inborn knowledge.

Therefore, the paper gives a general idea of the connectionist models of language processing and its different systems that are applicable to various linguistic models. For grounding in the basics, a study by McMurray on the basics of connectionist theory on linguistics is necessary. The concepts, terminologies and submodels are explained in detail and in simple language. Foundations for experimentation and measurement are given for the testing and confirming of model hypotheses. These can be used in ascertaining the patterns of idea formation and their transformation into words.

ReferencesMcMurray, Bob. “Connectionist Modeling for…er… linguists.” University of Rochester Working Papers in the Language Sciences—Vol. Spring 2000, no. 1. 3 February 2011 Rohde, Douglas, L. T., Plaut, David C. “Connectionist Models of Language Processing.” Cognitive Studies. 2003, Vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 10-28. 14 February 2011 Smith, Linda, B., Samuelson, Larissa, K. “Different is good: connectionism and dynamic systems theory are complementary emergentist approaches to development.

” Developmental Science . 2003, Vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 434-439. 14 February 2011 < http://www.indiana.edu/~cogdev/labwork/smithandsam.pdf>