Words Thoughts And Theories

Author : Alison Gopnik,Andrew N. Meltzoff
Publisher : MIT Press
Page : 289 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 1998-09-01
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9780262571265

Get Book

Words, Thoughts, and Theories by Alison Gopnik,Andrew N. Meltzoff Pdf

Words, Thoughts, and Theories articulates and defends the "theory theory" of cognitive and semantic development, the idea that infants and young children, like scientists, learn about the world by forming and revising theories, a view of the origins of knowledge and meaning that has broad implications for cognitive science. Gopnik and Meltzoff interweave philosophical arguments and empirical data from their own and other's research. Both the philosophy and the psychology, the arguments and the data, address the same fundamental epistemological question: How do we come to understand the world around us? Recently, the theory theory has led to much interesting research. However, this is the first book to look at the theory in extensive detail and to systematically contrast it with other theories. It is also the first to apply the theory to infancy and early childhood, to use the theory to provide a framework for understanding semantic development, and to demonstrate that language acquisition influences theory change in children.The authors show that children just beginning to talk are engaged in profound restructurings of several domains of knowledge. These restructurings are similar to theory changes in science, and they influence children's early semantic development, since children's cognitive concerns shape and motivate their use of very early words. But, in addition, children pay attention to the language they hear around them and this too reshapes their cognition, and causes them to reorganize their theories.

Author : Benjamin Brown
Publisher : Ubiquity Press
Page : 188 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2017-08-31
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781911529217

Get Book

Thoughts and Ways of Thinking by Benjamin Brown Pdf

Why do we think differently from one another? Why do religious people adhere to their faith even against reason, whilst atheist thinkers label it “nonsense”? Why do some judges turn more to moral values and others less? Why do we attach different meanings to the same words? These questions can be tackled on psychological or sociological levels, but we can also analyze the subjects on the epistemological level. That is the purpose of this book. Thoughts and Ways of Thinking offers Source Theory as a single explanation for epistemic processes and their religious, legal and linguistic derivatives. The idea is simple: our senses, our understanding, our memory, the testimonies that we trust, and many other objects transmit data to us and so shape our beliefs. In this function they serve as our truth sources. Different beliefs stem from different sources or different hierarchies between same sources. This notion is formalized here through the new tool of Source Calculus, and, after balancing its relativistic consequences by adding pragmatic constraints, it is applied to the philosophies of religion, law and language. With this unified theory, old doubts are framed in new perspectives, and some of them even find their solution.

Author : Philip David Zelazo,Janet Wilde Astington,David R. Olson
Publisher : Psychology Press
Page : 372 pages
File Size : 44,9 Mb
Release : 2023-05-31
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781000947694

Get Book

Developing Theories of Intention by Philip David Zelazo,Janet Wilde Astington,David R. Olson Pdf

The chapters collected in this volume represent the "state-of-the-art" of research on the development of intentional action and intentional understanding--topics that are at the intersection of current research on imitation, early understanding of mental states, goal-directed behavior in nonhuman animals, executive function, language acquisition, and narrative understanding, to name just a few of the relevant foci. Collectively, the contributors demonstrate that intentionality is a key issue in the cognitive and social sciences. Moreover, in a way that was anticipated more than a century ago by the seminal work of J. Mark Baldwin, they are beginning to reveal how the control of action is related in development to children's emerging self-conscious and their increasingly sophisticated appreciation of other people's perspectives. This volume brings together the world's leading researchers on early social and cognitive development in an in-depth exploration of children's understanding of themselves and others.

Author : Knud Illeris
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 244 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2009-05-07
Category : Education
ISBN : 9781135226336

Get Book

Contemporary Theories of Learning by Knud Illeris Pdf

In this definitive collection of today’s most influential learning theorists, sixteen world-renowned experts present their understanding of what learning is and how human learning takes place. Professor Knud Illeris has collected chapters that explain both the complex frameworks in which learning takes place and the specific facets of learning, such as the acquisition of learning content, personal development, and the cultural and social nature of learning processes. Each international expert provides either a seminal text or an entirely new précis of the conceptual framework they have developed over a lifetime of study. Elucidating the key concepts of learning, Contemporary Theories of Learning provides both the perfect desk reference and an ideal introduction for students. It will prove an authoritative guide for researchers and academics involved in the study of learning, and an invaluable resource for all those dealing with learning in daily life and work. It provides a detailed synthesis of current learning theories... all in the words of the theorists themselves. The theories of Knud Illeris Peter Jarvis Robert Kegan Yrjö Engeström Bente Elkjaer Jack Mezirow Howard Gardner Peter Alheit John Heron Mark Tennant Jerome Bruner Robin Usher Thomas Ziehe Jean Lave Etienne Wenger Danny Wildemeersch & Veerle Stroobants In their own words

Author : William Seager
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 402 pages
File Size : 52,5 Mb
Release : 2016-02-12
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781135050528

Get Book

Theories of Consciousness by William Seager Pdf

Despite recent strides in neuroscience and psychology that have deepened understanding of the brain, consciousness remains one of the greatest philosophical and scientific puzzles. The second edition of Theories of Consciousness: An Introduction and Assessment provides a fresh and up-to-date introduction to a variety of approaches to consciousness, and contributes to the current lively debate about the nature of consciousness and whether a scientific understanding of it is possible. After an initial overview of the status and prospects of physicalism in the face of the problem of consciousness, William Seager explores key themes from Descartes - the founder of the modern problem of consciousness. He then turns to the most important theories of consciousness: identity theories and the generation problem higher-order thought theories of consciousness self-representational theories of consciousness Daniel Dennett’s theory of consciousness attention-based theories of consciousness representational theories of consciousness conscious intentionality panpsychism neutral monism. Thoroughly revised and expanded throughout, this second edition includes new chapters on animal consciousness, reflexive consciousness, combinatorial forms of panpsychism and neutral monism, as well as a significant new chapter on physicalism, emergence and consciousness. The book’s broad scope, depth of coverage and focus on key philosophical positions and arguments make it an indispensable text for those teaching or studying philosophy of mind and psychology. It is also an excellent resource for those working in related fields such as cognitive science and the neuroscience of consciousness.

Author : Andrew Ortony
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 700 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 1993-11-26
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : 0521405610

Get Book

Metaphor and Thought by Andrew Ortony Pdf

Metaphor and Thought, first published in 1979, reflects the surge of interest in and research into the nature and function of metaphor in language and thought. In this revised and expanded second edition, the editor has invited the contributors to update their original essays to reflect any changes in their thinking. Reorganised to accommodate the shifts in central theoretical issues, the volume also includes six new chapters that present important and influential fresh ideas about metaphor that have appeared in such fields as the philosophy of language and the philosophy of science, linguistics, cognitive and clinical psychology, education and artificial intelligence.

Author : David Danks,Emiliano Ippoliti
Publisher : Springer
Page : 282 pages
File Size : 45,5 Mb
Release : 2018-01-18
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9783319727875

Get Book

Building Theories by David Danks,Emiliano Ippoliti Pdf

This book explores new findings on the long-neglected topic of theory construction and discovery, and challenges the orthodox, current division of scientific development into discrete stages: the stage of generation of new hypotheses; the stage of collection of relevant data; the stage of justification of possible theories; and the final stage of selection from among equally confirmed theories. The chapters, written by leading researchers, offer an interdisciplinary perspective on various aspects of the processes by which theories rationally should, and descriptively are, built. They address issues such as the role of problem-solving and heuristic reasoning in theory-building; how inferences and models shape the pursuit of scientific knowledge; the relation between problem-solving and scientific discovery; the relative values of the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic view of theories in understanding theory construction; and the relation between ampliative inferences, heuristic reasoning, and models as a means for building new theories and knowledge. Through detailed arguments and examinations, the volume collectively challenges the orthodox view’s main tenets by characterizing the ways in which the different “stages” are logically, temporally, and psychologically intertwined. As a group, the chapters provide several attempts to answer long-standing questions about the possibility of a unified conceptual framework for building theories and formulating hypotheses.

Author : Peter Gärdenfors
Publisher : MIT Press
Page : 357 pages
File Size : 45,5 Mb
Release : 2014-01-17
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : 9780262026789

Get Book

The Geometry of Meaning by Peter Gärdenfors Pdf

A novel cognitive theory of semantics that proposes that the meanings of words can be described in terms of geometric structures.

Author : Barbara M. Newman,Philip R. Newman
Publisher : Psychology Press
Page : 349 pages
File Size : 41,6 Mb
Release : 2010-10-18
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781135620011

Get Book

Theories of Human Development by Barbara M. Newman,Philip R. Newman Pdf

Intended for courses on theories of human development, this new text presents nine theories grouped into three major families - those that emphasize biological systems; those that emphasize environmental factors; and those that emphasize a dynamic interaction between biological and environmental forces. The nine theories selected have a long and productive history in human development and continue to evolve as a result of new insights. The inclusion of social role theory and life course theory expand the book's relevance to the study of adulthood and aging. Grouping the theories by families enhances students' ability to think critically about theoretical ideas, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, and gain a deeper understanding of how each theory guides research and application. The three families are introduced with a brief overview of the unique perspectives of each theory and the rationale for grouping these theories together. Discussion of each theory includes: the historical and cultural context in which the theory was developed; an overview of key concepts and important ideas; new directions in contemporary scientific work; a research example illustrating how the theory has been tested and modified; an application showing how the theory has guided the design of an intervention or program; an analysis of how the theory answers basic questions about human development; and a critique highlighting the theories' strengths and weaknesses. Theories of Human Development serves as a text in advanced undergraduate and/or beginning graduate courses in theories of human development. Its clear organization and engaging writing style make it accessible to students with a minimal background in human development.

Author : Jeffrey W. Sherman,Bertram Gawronski,Yaacov Trope
Publisher : Guilford Publications
Page : 641 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2014-05-01
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781462514397

Get Book

Dual-Process Theories of the Social Mind by Jeffrey W. Sherman,Bertram Gawronski,Yaacov Trope Pdf

"This volume provides an authoritative synthesis of a dynamic, influential area of psychological research. Leading investigators address all aspects of dual-process theories: their core assumptions, conceptual foundations, and applications to a wide range of social phenomena. In 38 chapters, the volume addresses the pivotal role of automatic and controlled processes in attitudes and evaluation; social perception; thinking and reasoning; self-regulation; and the interplay of affect, cognition, and motivation. Current empirical and methodological developments are described. Critiques of the duality approach are explored and important questions for future research identified"--

Author : Phillip T Slee,Rosalyn Shute
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 371 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2014-02-04
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781134658008

Get Book

Child Development: Thinking About Theories Texts in Developmental Psychology by Phillip T Slee,Rosalyn Shute Pdf

Many areas of developmental psychology have witnessed much important research in recent years, challenging old assumptions and bringing new findings and perspectives to light. The Texts in Developmental Psychology series has been designed to embrace the emergence of new areas and developments in the field from a global perspective, providing state-of-the-art, higher level introductions to major topic areas. Each volume is written by specialists who combine empirical data and a synthesis of recent research to deliver cutting-edge science in a format accessible to students and researchers alike. Child Development: Thinking About Theories is one of the few texts to critically examine both modern and postmodern contributions to theoretical development in child and adolescent psychology. The text has been written specifically taking into account the findings from a focus group of Honours psychology students to include pedagogical features such as an overview of theories linking the various schools of thought, ideas for further study and links to selected websites; as well as the latest developments in theoretical thinking including evolutionary theory, feminism and indigenous theory, and implications of theory for practice. Drawing from a worldwide background of research, the text is unique in that it contains many examples from Australia and other Pacific nations. This clear and concisely written text by two university lecturers in the field of child and adolescent psychology will prove a valuable resource for advanced undergraduate/Honours students of psychology and other closely related disciplines.

Author : Alexander Carson
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 234 pages
File Size : 41,6 Mb
Release : 1830
Category : Bible
ISBN : CHI:15845948

Get Book

The Theories of Inspiration of the Rev. Daniel Wilson, Rev. Dr. Pye Smith, and the Rev. Dr. Dick, Proved to be Erroneous by Alexander Carson Pdf

Author : Ming Dong Gu
Publisher : State University of New York Press
Page : 350 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2012-02-01
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780791483473

Get Book

Chinese Theories of Reading and Writing by Ming Dong Gu Pdf

This ambitious work provides a systematic study of Chinese theories of reading and writing in intellectual thought and critical practice. The author maintains that there are two major hermeneutic traditions in Chinese literature: the politico-moralistic mainstream and the metaphysico-aesthetical undercurrent. In exploring the interaction between the two, Ming Dong Gu finds a movement toward interpretive openness. In this, the Chinese practice anticipates modern and Western theories of interpretation, especially literary openness and open poetics. Classic Chinese works are examined, including the Zhouyi (the I Ching or Book of Changes), the Shijing (the Book of Songs or Book of Poetry), and selected poetry, along with the philosophical background of the hermeneutic theories. Ultimately, Gu relates the Chinese practices of reading to Western hermeneutics, offering a cross-cultural conceptual model for the comparative study of reading and writing in general.

Author : Jerry A. Fodor
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 1975
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN : 0674510305

Get Book

The Language of Thought by Jerry A. Fodor Pdf

In a compelling defense of the speculative approach to the philosophy of mind, Jerry Fodor argues that, while our best current theories of cognitive psychology view many higher processes as computational, computation itself presupposes an internal medium of representation. Fodor's prime concerns are to buttress the notion of internal representation from a philosophical viewpoint, and to determine those characteristics of this conceptual construct using the empirical data available from linguistics and cognitive psychology.

Author : Kern Robert Trembath
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 165 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 1987
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780195049114

Get Book

Evangelical Theories of Biblical Inspiration by Kern Robert Trembath Pdf

The inspiration of the Bible is central to Christian faith, yet there is no general agreement on the nature of this inspiration. The author analyses seven major evangelical explanations.