Collaborative Research on the Role of PDP Systems in the Study of Cognition

亚利桑那大学的罗伯特康明斯博士和大卫博士 位于圣地亚哥的加州大学的Kirsh正在分析 并比较了两种截然不同的研究方法， 认知和智能，正统的“计算” 一方面，“新联结主义者”或 并行分布式处理方法。 的 正统的计算方法认为心理过程是 类似于编程的数字计算机中的过程。 康明斯博士和科什博士正在进行系统分析， 这些范例的比较在一个科学和 知情的方式。 本研究的目的是：1）比较研究方法 以及连接主义和计算主义的解释目标 认知科学的方法; 2）阐明潜在的 认知、智力和心理的概念， 每种方法的指数;以及3）评估可能的影响 关于认知科学的研究， 目前正在进行的连接主义研究。 研究人员将对主要中心进行现场访问， 连接主义和正统的计算研究。 他们是 针对两个特定的研究领域进行调查， 访问：言语感知（联结主义的一种力量）和 解决问题（正统方法的优势）。

Dr. Robert Cummins of the University of Arizona and Dr. David Kirsh of the University of California, San Diego, are analyzing and comparing two radically different approaches to the study of cognition and intelligence, the orthodox "computational" approach, on the one hand, and the "new connectionist" or parallel distributed processing approach on the other. The orthodox computational approach takes mental processes to be analogous to the processes in a programmed digital computer. Drs. Cummins and Kirsh are undertaking a systematic analysis and comparison of these paradigms in a scientifically and philosophically informed way. The goals of this project are 1) to compare the research methods and explanatory goals of the connectionist and computational approach to cognitive science; 2) to articulate the underlying conception of cognition, intelligence and mentality that drives exponents of each approach; and 3) to assess the possible impact on cognitive science of the major shift of resources into connectionist research that is currently taking place. The investigators will carry out site visits to major centers of connectionist and orthodox computational research. They are targeting two specific research areas for investigation on these visits: speech perception ( a strength of connectionism) and problem solving (a strength of the orthodox approach).