A Bayesian approach to the Poverty of the stimulus
author: Amy Perfors,
Computational Cognitive Science Group, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT
published: Oct. 31, 2007, recorded: June 2007, views: 4156
published: Oct. 31, 2007, recorded: June 2007, views: 4156
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Description
Shown that given reasonable domain-general assumptions, an unbiased rational learner could realize that languages have a hierarchical structure based on typical child-directed input. Can use this paradigm to explore the role of recursive elements in a grammar: the “winning” grammar contains additional non-recursive counterparts for complex NPs; perhaps language, while fundamentally recursive, contains duplicate non-recursive elements that more precisely match the input?
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Reviews and comments:
Hierarchies aren't just necessary for language, they are necessary for data and knowledge representation in general. They are there in every infant brain, not just to acquire language, but to provide a semantic framework within which new data can be fitted and reused as knowledge- see Tulving's hierarchcial overview of the CNS, which has lots of empirical support. The lateralisation of function in the brain is a direct consequence of the episodic-semantic-procedural knowledge 'trierarchy', since it is (usually) the Left Cerebral Hemisphere which functions as the episodic knowledge base, and the heart of narrative representation (language and consciousness).
I like how you've tried to be iconoclastic, anti-chomsky etc, but you are quite wrong. nice try, but.. great work.
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