Meta-representation

The Emergence of meta-representation (a hypothesis)

How did meta-representation develop?

Genetic change? ÷

Module in the brain? ÷

Emergence? +

Emergence

We use the term emergence when the following donditions are satisfied:

a) Population of N individuals, N >> 0

b) If a and b are ”close” they modify each others activity pattern

c) Given the activity of a at t0 one cannot predict its activity at t0 + t

d) At the global level there is synchronized

activity

e) d) is an effect of b)

Problem:

How can we describe b) in the case of human interaction?

The modification of activity patterns in humans is based on:

a) Neonates attend to and imitate facial

expressions

b) Imitation of the adults action on outside objects (M. Tomasello)

c) Imitation of speech sounds

An example

Language structure might be an emergent property of c)

Conditions for language to evolve

a)The vocal tract

b) Brain regions for the production, ordering, and memory of speech sounds

c) Pathways that connet the phonological system with the conceptual system

d) The imitative scheme described above

Imitation might be based on the mirror system in the brain

Mirror neurons found in monkeys (G. Rizzolatti)

Evidence for their existence in humans (M. Jeannerod)

Suggestions for a more general function in humans (V. Gallese)

The mirror system ensures:

a) we attune to the expressions of the other

b) Our understanding of the others intentional act is embodied and immediate

Imitation

Different representations of

strategy and goal

Strategy ≠ goal

Embodied representations of different strategies for the same goal

Systems for comparing and choosing

Meta-reflection

Levels of representation

Meta-reflection on goal vs strategy

Goal

behavioral strategy (embodied schemes)

Motor schemes

The main occupation of the brain is

prediction

Meta-reflection is a consequenceof failed prediction

Prediction ≠ result

Awareness of the strategy

Counterfactual strategy

Counterfactual strategy

actual strategy

Comparisonreflection

Language

Different perspectives on the same situation

”you broke the window” vs. ”the window was broken”

Language

Communication

Embody different perspectives

Meta-cognition

Language

Speech repair

Attention to the act of speech

Reflection on the form of speech

Language

Meta-discourse

Embody external monitoring of behavior

Self-reflection

Literature:

Rizzolati, G. et al. (1988) Functional organization of inferior area 6 in the macaque monkey: II. Area F5 and the control of distal movements Exp. Brain Res. 71, 491-507

Decety, J.et al.(1997) Brain activity during observation of action. Brain, 120, 1763-1777

Jeannerod, M. (2003) Consciousness of action and self-consciousness. In Agency and self awareness: issues in philosophy and psychology (eds. J. Roessler and N. Eilan) Oxford University Press

Gallese, V. & Goldman, A. (1998) Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind-reading. Trends in Cognitive Science, 2: 493-501

Tomasello, M. (1999) The cultural origins of human cognition, Harvard University Press