A hybrid model of learning to solve physics problems

Abstract

The current state of the debate between proponents of connectionism and defenders of traditional, symbolic modelling is used as the basis of an argument for the potential usefulness of hybrid models, in which principles of both connectionist and symbolic models are combined. The possible merits of hybrid models are illustrated by showing how a hybrid model of aspects of expertise development in physics problem solving might be superior to existing models. In the hybrid model, which is capable of solving simple mechanics problems and of learning from its own solutions, a distributed memory module is linked to a classical production system. In the distributed memory module, associations between problem statements and useful subgoals are stored. These subgoals serve to guide the inference process carried out by the production system, making the system's solutions more efficient as learning proceeds. The results of a simulation experiment indicate that the trained system's solutions closely correspond to those generated by human experts, and that the hybrid model probably offers a better account of the development and nature of expert reasoning than existing symbolic models.     

Specificity of learning in reality-orientation sessions: a single-case study

A single-case study of retraining of verbal orientation in a 68-year-old patient with Korsa-koff's psychosis is described. In order to test the specificity of learning three different lists of verbalorientation items were taught in separate phases of a multiple-baseline design. Learning did occur mainly in the appropriate phases, with little generalization across phases being apparent. The results support the presence of a relearning component in the Reality-Orientation approach. In addition they emphasize that it is desirable for treatment programmes to focus on particular target areas of functioning.     

Nonverbal learning disabilities: The syndrome and a case study

Presents the syndrome of nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD) and the model developed to encompass its complex manifestations. Included are the history of the development of the syndrome, the types of children in whom its principal features are manifest, the hypothesized neurological bases of the syndrome, and a test of its developmental dimensions. A case study with assessment results and treatment implications illustrates the clinical dimensions of the syndrome. General developmental and treatment implications of the NLD syndrome and the NLD model are also included.     

The neural correlates of reward-related trial-and-error learning: an fMRI study with a probabilistic learning task

This fMRI study investigated the neural correlates of reward-related trial-and-error learning in association with changing degrees of stimulus-outcome predictabilities. We found that decreasing predictability was associated with increasing activation in a frontoparietal network. Only maximum predictability was associated with signal decreases across the learning process. The receipt of monetary reward revealed activation in the striatum and associated frontoparietal regions. Present data indicate that during reward-related learning, high uncertainty forces areas relevant for cognitive control to remain activated. In contrast, learning on the basis of predictable stimulus-outcome associations enables the brain to reduce resources in association with the processes of prediction.     

Working memory load in the initial learning phase facilitates relearning: a study of vocabulary learning

In this study, the effect of working memory load in the initial learning phase on the relearning phase was examined. Exp. 1 examined the effect of articulatory suppression in paired associative learning with a relearning method. In the learning phase, 28 participants (M age=21.8 yr., SD=2.1) learned all word-nonword associations under conditions of articulatory suppression or simple tapping. After a delay, they answered a cued recall task in a nonsuppressed condition and a relearning task in a simple tapping condition. The subjects who learned under the simple tapping condition in the learning phase required significantly more trials in the relearning phase. In Exp. 2, 28 participants (M age=20.8 yr., SD=1.5) participated, and the result was replicated. These results suggested that working memory load facilitates relearning. Results are best explained by contextual interference (Battig) rather than by the less-is-more hypothesis of Newport.     

Self and Self-Consciousness: Aristotelian Ontology and Cartesian Duality

The relationship between self-consciousness, Aristotelian ontology, and Cartesian duality is far closer than it has been thought to be. There is no valid inference either from considerations of Aristotle's hylomorphism or from the phenomenological distinction between body and living body, to the undermining of Cartesian dualism. Descartes' conception of the self as both a reasoning and willing being informs his conception of personhood; a person for Descartes is an unanalysable, integrated, self-conscious and autonomous human being. The claims that Descartes introspectively encounters the self and that the Cartesian extent of inner space is self-contained are profound errors, distortions through the lenses of modern theories.     

Object based implicit contextual learning: a study of eye movements

Implicit contextual cueing refers to a top-down mechanism in which visual search is facilitated by learned contextual features. In the current study we aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying implicit contextual learning using object information as a contextual cue. Therefore, we measured eye movements during an object-based contextual cueing task. We demonstrated that visual search is facilitated by repeated object information and that this reduction in response times is associated with shorter fixation durations. This indicates that by memorizing associations between objects in our environment we can recognize objects faster, thereby facilitating visual search.     

对亚里士多德主义虚构对象理论的批评

<正>虚构对象是小说、神话、传说中虚构地进行描写的对象,如福尔摩斯、哈姆雷特、孙悟空。关于虚构对象的形而上学主要研究两个基本问题:(1)我们的本体论是否应该包含虚构对象;(2)假如应该包含虚构对象,虚构对象属于什么范畴。针对问题(1),不同回答导致关于虚构对象的实在论和反实在论争论。在对问题(1)做肯定回答的基础上,对问题(2)的不同回答导致不同的虚构对象理论。虚构对象理论可分为亚里士多德主义和柏拉图主义。亚里士多德主义者认为,虚构对象并非