Lecture 2: Language - Reference and Meaning Flashcards
Explain the ‘icon’ mode of reference.
Physical similarity between sign and signified.
Explain the ‘index’ mode of reference.
Physical or temporal contiguity (correlation, co-occurrence) between sign and signified.
Explain the ‘symbolic’ mode of reference.
Formal or agreed upon link between sign and signified (social convention).
Are the modes of reference mutually exclusive?
No.
Symbolic depends on establishment of layer grounded in lower layers.
During learning, ______ reference is initially crucial in establishing link to object.
Indexical.
Co-occurrence of symbol and object.
Why is symbolic learning hard?
Because what determines the meaning of a symbol does not equate with the probability of co-occurrence with the referent.
What is symbolic meaning?
A function of relationship of that symbol to other symbols within a symbolic system.
Give an example of why symbolic learning is hard.
Words with similar meanings used alternatively, not together.
No simple correlations to track.
What would happen to symbolic learning under the principles of basic learning theory (classical/operant)?
It would be extinguished.
What did Sue Savage-Rumbaugh focus on with her animal studies?
Receptive competency.
Explain the reasoning behind and problem with SSR’s ‘request task’.
Reason: reward matched symbol - chimps struggling to learn 3+ symbols without this
Problem: knowing how to use a symbol to get that object is different to knowing that that symbol represents the object in question.
Explain the reasoning behind and problem with SSR’s ‘fading technique’.
Reason: de-couple reward from symbol by decreasing size of reward and adding other reward.
Problem: chimps arguably still not representing symbols in their own right
Explain the reasoning behind SSR’s ‘hiding task’.
Reason: forces chimps to communicate with one another using symbols. Motivates communicative situation between responder and informer.
How did SSR test the chimps abilities without instruction?
By placing the chimps in a foreign situation which forced them to communicate using symbols to exchange tools.
