scholarly journals The evolutionary model of empathy: Do non-human primates have building blocks of morality?

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-129
Author(s):  
Igor Zivanovic
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Coding Theory ◽  
Perception And Action ◽  
Evolutionary Model ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Common Coding ◽  
Psychological Altruism ◽  
The Common

Empathy represents the capacity of an individual to directly experience others? emotional states. Psychologist Stephanie Preston and primatologist Frans de Waal proposed the evolutionary model of empathy based on the common-coding theory of perception and action. In this paper, I will examine the emotional and cognitive aspects of their account of empathy, as well as its significance for the evolution of psychological altruism and morality. In the same context, I will also examine the experimental evidence on empathy based altruistic helping in children and non-human primates whose behavioral patterns indicate the presence of what de Wall calls the building blocks of morality. Finally, I will try to answer how the building blocks of morality relate to morality as a full-blown phenomenon.

How specific and common is common coding?

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andries F. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Perception And Action ◽  
Direct Perception ◽  
Human Information Processing ◽  
Common Coding ◽  
Event Code ◽  
Target Article ◽  
The Common ◽  
Action Coupling

This commentary addresses three points. First, it is argued that the common coding principles, as developed in the target article, may supplement rather than replace stage views of human information processing. Second, the issue of the properties of an event code is briefly discussed. It is concluded that much remains to be specified so as to allow critical tests. Finally, the question of the limits of common coding is raised. It may be particularly relevant to direct perception and action coupling but less useful for the analysis of cognitive skills.

Dual coding theory and the mental lexicon

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Paivio
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Coding Theory ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Mental Lexicon ◽  
Dual Coding ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Abstract Form ◽  
Common Coding ◽  
The Common ◽  
And Performance

The dual coding theoretical (DCT) approach to the mental lexicon differs radically from standard approaches to the concept in linguistics and psychology. The differences are related to a long-standing dispute concerning the nature of the mental representations that mediate perception, comprehension, and performance in cognitive tasks. The issue contrasts what have been described as common coding and multiple coding views of mental representations. The common coding view is that a single, abstract form of representation underlies language and other cognitive skills. The standard approach to the mental lexicon is in that category. The multiple coding interpretation is that mental representations are modality specific and multimodal. The DCT view of the mental lexicon is in that camp. The general theories are first summarized; subsequently, their approaches to the mental lexicon and its relation to cognition are compared.

Topological Interlocking in Design of Structures and Materials

2009 ◽  
Vol 1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Estrin ◽  
Arcady Dyskin ◽  
Elena Pasternak ◽  
Stephan Schaare
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Fracture Resistance ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Engineering Applications ◽  
Topological Interlocking ◽  
Novel Structures ◽  
Promising Avenue

AbstractSince its introduction in 2001 [1], the concept of topological interlocking has advanced to reasonable maturity, and various research groups have now adopted it as a promising avenue for developing novel structures and materials with unusual mechanical properties. In this paper, we review the known geometries of building blocks and their arrangements that permit topological interlocking. Their properties relating to stiffness, fracture resistance and damping are discussed on the basis of experimental evidence and modeling results. An outlook to prospective engineering applications is also given.

Modeling Motion

2011 ◽  
pp. 327-345
Author(s):  
Roy Gelbard ◽  
Israel Spiegler
Keyword(s):  
Basic Problem ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Data Comparison ◽  
Motion System ◽  
Binary Model ◽  
The Common ◽  
Key Frames ◽  
Machine Readable ◽  
And Storage

The research proposes a model for the representation and storage of motion data that enables the communication, storage, and analysis of patterns of motion, as with spoken and written languages. The basic problem is the lack of a machine-readable motion alphabet. We thus set out to define the elemental components and building blocks of motion, coming up with what we call the motion byte as the basis for a motion language that has words, phrases, and sentences. The binary-based model we develop, which is significantly different from the common “key frames” approach, is also a method of storing motion data. Comparison with a standard motion system, based on key frames, indicates a significant advantage for our binary model.

Radio Frequency Identification

2011 ◽  
pp. 502-526
Author(s):  
Róbert Schulcz ◽  
Gábor Varga
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Common Coding ◽  
Coding Schemes ◽  
Data Capacity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
The Common ◽  
System Selection ◽  
Reading Distance

In this chapter, we will start by briefly summarizing the history of radio frequency identification systems. After that, we will introduce the components of such systems and classify them based on programmability, data capacity, frequency, and reading distance, as well as power supplement and reply transfer methods. We will describe the various coupling types used in RFID systems, present the common coding schemes and modulations, and give an overview of the standardization efforts. This chapter will focus on collision detection and resolution algorithms and conclude by practical suggestions on RFID system selection for different tasks.

Data Warehouse Maintenance, Evolution and Versioning

2010 ◽  
pp. 171-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Eder ◽  
Karl Wiggisser
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Data Warehouse ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Data Warehouses ◽  
Master Data ◽  
Analytical Processing ◽  
The Common ◽  
Instance Analysis ◽  
Transactional Data ◽  
Common Understanding

Data Warehouses typically are building blocks of decision support systems in companies and public administration. The data contained in a data warehouse is analyzed by means of OnLine Analytical Processing tools, which provide sophisticated features for aggregating and comparing data. Decision support applications depend on the reliability and accuracy of the contained data. Typically, a data warehouse does not only comprise the current snapshot data but also historical data to enable, for instance, analysis over several years. And, as we live in a changing world, one criterion for the reliability and accuracy of the results of such long period queries is their comparability. Whereas data warehouse systems are well prepared for changes in the transactional data, they are, surprisingly, not able to deal with changes in the master data. Nonetheless, such changes do frequently occur. The crucial point for supporting changes is, first of all, being aware of their existence. Second, once you know that a change took place, it is important to know which change (i.e., knowing about differences between versions and relations between the elements of different versions). For data warehouses this means that changes are identified and represented, validity of data and structures are recorded and this knowledge is used for computing correct results for OLAP queries. This chapter is intended to motivate the need for powerful maintenance mechanisms for data warehouse cubes. It presents some basic terms and definitions for the common understanding and introduces the different aspects of data warehouse maintenance. Furthermore, several approaches addressing the problem are presented and classified by their capabilities.

An Evidence-Based Health Information System Theory

2011 ◽  
pp. 1994-2011
Author(s):  
Daniel Carbone
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
The Common ◽  
Is Theory

The aim of this chapter is to bridge the gap between what is known about IS theory and the specifics characteristics of health to develop an evidence based health information systems theory. An initial background first sets the significance for the need to have a solid information systems theory in health and then argues that neither the information systems literature nor the health sector have been able to provide any satisfactory pathway to facilitate the adoption of information systems in health settings. The chapter further continues by reviewing the common pathway to develop information systems theory and the knowledge foundations used in the process, and then proceeds to highlight how this theory was developed. Subsequently, the building blocks (constructs, premises, supporting evidence and conclusions) that underpins the constructs and a brief explanation of the relationships between them is included. A discussion and limitation section is then followed by a conclusion.

The Influence of Visual Information on the Motor Control of Table Tennis Strokes

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Streuber ◽  
Betty J. Mohler ◽  
Heinrich H. Bülthoff ◽  
Stephan de la Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Coding Theory ◽  
The Body ◽  
Interaction Partner ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Movement Kinematics ◽  
Common Coding ◽  
Radial Error ◽  
Many Sources

Theories of social interaction (i.e., common coding theory) suggest that visual information about the interaction partner is critical for successful interpersonal action coordination. Seeing the interaction partner allows an observer to understand and predict the interaction partner's behavior. However, it is unknown which of the many sources of visual information about an interaction partner (e.g., body, end effectors, and/or interaction objects) are used for action understanding and thus for the control of movements in response to observed actions. We used a novel immersive virtual environment to investigate this further. Specifically, we asked participants to perform table tennis strokes in response to table tennis balls stroked by a virtual table tennis player. We tested the effect of the visibility of the ball, the paddle, and the body of the virtual player on task performance and movement kinematics. Task performance was measured as the minimum distance between the center of the paddle and the center of the ball (radial error). Movement kinematics was measured as variability in the paddle speed of repeatedly executed table tennis strokes (stroke speed variability). We found that radial error was reduced when the ball was visible compared to invisible. However, seeing the body and/or the racket of the virtual players only reduced radial error when the ball was invisible. There was no influence of seeing the ball on stroke speed variability. However, we found that stroke speed variability was reduced when either the body or the paddle of the virtual player was visible. Importantly, the differences in stroke speed variability were largest in the moment when the virtual player hit the ball. This suggests that seeing the virtual player's body or paddle was important for preparing the stroke response. These results demonstrate for the first time that the online control of arm movements is coupled with visual body information about an opponent.

A Gain-Tunable Output Buffer for Audio-DAC with Common-Mode Output Independent of Gain Variation

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (07) ◽  
pp. 1550106
Author(s):  
Yuhua Liang ◽  
Zhangming Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Output Voltage ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Threshold Current ◽  
Maximum Output ◽  
Output Buffer ◽  
Common Mode ◽  
Current Reference ◽  
Gain Variation ◽  
Output Noise ◽  
The Common

A novel gain-tunable output buffer for audio-DAC is proposed in this paper. With this proposed architecture, the common-mode output voltage can be independent of gain variation. In practical applications, supply voltage might change. With this proposed architecture, the common-mode output voltage could be set separately, to guarantee that it stays in the mid-scale position of the supply. Therefore, the ability of reaching the maximum output swing for the buffer features the proposed architecture. In addition, the threshold current reference is utilized to generate bias currents for the other building blocks. Therefore, it is always located in the source position of the signal chain. Its output noise would be amplified by all the following circuit blocks. To guarantee high-quality performance of the audio-DAC, the output noise of the threshold current reference should be suppressed. In this letter, noise performance of the threshold current reference is analyzed theoretically and improved significantly. Simulation result shows that the integrated noise current of the threshold current reference can be reduced from 0.61 to 0.15 nA when the integral frequency range sweeps from DC to 50 kHz, i.e., a reduction of 75.4% has been achieved.

scholarly journals The role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental and emotional states: neurocognitive mechanisms in children and adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1686) ◽  
pp. 20150074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaus Steinbeis
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Fundamental Problem ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Affective Domains

Social interactions come with the fundamental problem of trying to understand others' mental and affective states while under the overpowering influence of one's own concurrent thoughts and feelings. The ability to distinguish between simultaneous representations of others' current experiences as well as our own is crucial to navigate our complex social environments successfully. The developmental building blocks of this ability and how this is given rise to by functional and structural brain development remains poorly understood. In this review, I outline some of the key findings on the role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental as well as emotional states in children and adults. I will begin by clarifying the crucial role for self–other distinction in avoiding egocentric attributions of one's own cognitive as well as affective states to others in adults and outline the underlying neural circuitry in overcoming such egocentricity. This will provide the basis for a discussion of the emergence of self–other distinction in early childhood as well as developmental changes therein throughout childhood and into adulthood. I will demonstrate that self–other distinction of cognitive and emotional states is already dissociable early in development. Concomitantly, I will show that processes of self–other distinction in cognitive and affective domains rely on adjacent but distinct neural circuitry each with unique connectivity profiles, presumably related to the nature of the distinction that needs to be made.

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