Of maps and grids

Neuroscience has made remarkable advances in accounting for how the brain performs its various functions. Consciousness, too, is usually approached in functional terms: the goal is to understand how the brain represents information, accesses that information, and acts on it. While useful for prediction, this functional, information-processing approach leaves out the subjective structure of experience: it does not account for how experience feels. Here, we consider a simple model of how a “grid-like” network meant to resemble posterior cortical areas can represent spatial information and act on it to perform a simple “fixation” function. Using standard neuroscience tools, we show how the model represents topographically the retinal position of a stimulus and triggers eye muscles to fixate or follow it. Encoding, decoding, and tuning functions of model units illustrate the working of the model in a way that fully explains what the model does. However, these functional properties have nothing to say about the fact that a human fixating a stimulus would also “see” it—experience it at a location in space. Using the tools of Integrated Information Theory, we then show how the subjective properties of experienced space—its extendedness—can be accounted for in objective, neuroscientific terms by the “cause-effect structure” specified by the grid-like cortical area. By contrast, a “map-like” network without lateral connections, meant to resemble a pretectal circuit, is functionally equivalent to the grid-like system with respect to representation, action, and fixation but cannot account for the phenomenal properties of space.

Comparing the traditional and constraints-led approaches to skill acquisition in tennis

The following article aims to highlight the differences between a traditional or ‘information processing’ approach to skill acquisition and the ‘constraints-led approach’. The terms are defined then various aspects of each method are considered in the context of tennis coaching. Practical examples of using the constraints-led approach are then given.

Obstacle Detection System for Agricultural Mobile Robot Application Using RGB-D Cameras

Mobile robots designed for agricultural tasks need to deal with challenging outdoor unstructured environments that usually have dynamic and static obstacles. This assumption significantly limits the number of mapping, path planning, and navigation algorithms to be used in this application. As a representative case, the autonomous lawn mowing robot considered in this work is required to determine the working area and to detect obstacles simultaneously, which is a key feature for its working efficiency and safety. In this context, RGB-D cameras are the optimal solution, providing a scene image including depth data with a compromise between precision and sensor cost. For this reason, the obstacle detection effectiveness and precision depend significantly on the sensors used, and the information processing approach has an impact on the avoidance performance. The study presented in this work aims to determine the obstacle mapping accuracy considering both hardware- and information processing-related uncertainties. The proposed evaluation is based on artificial and real data to compute the accuracy-related performance metrics. The results show that the proposed image and depth data processing pipeline introduces an additional distortion of 38 cm.

Coach approaches to practice design in performance tennis

Research demonstrates the benefits of a more contemporary, ecological-dynamics led approach in sport coaching; however, traditional methods of practice design persist. Few studies have explored the intentions of performance tennis coaches as they design practice. This study explored performance tennis coach philosophies and approaches to practice design. Interviews took place with ten high performance coaches who worked within a national tennis performance network. A thematic analysis revealed that coach approaches to practice design were informed by 1) their experiential knowledge and 2) their beliefs regarding player development. Coaches emerged as learners, who developed their knowledge through unmediated, informal learning opportunities, for example reflective practice and ‘on the job' experience. Six coaches had played tennis professionally, valuing this as a learning experience that informed their own practice. Three common beliefs regarding player development emerged between participants: repeatable players, performing under pressure, and individualised practice. These beliefs formed practice design principles, which translated into a uniform implementation of drills (serial, blocked, repeated patterns of play) and the intuitive inclusion of representative practice designs and constraints manipulation. The findings from this study suggest that, although performance tennis coaches are aware of contemporary approaches to practice design, a traditional, information-processing approach to skill development dominates their design of practice tasks. This study documents approaches to practice design in elite tennis and contributes to a growing body of pedagogical research in performance sport.

Integrating Embodied Cognition and Information Processing: A Combined Model of the Role of Gesture in Children's Mathematical Environments

Children learn and use various strategies to solve math problems. One way children's math learning can be supported is through their use of and exposure to hand gestures. Children's self-produced gestures can reveal unique, math-relevant knowledge that is not contained in their speech. Additionally, these gestures can assist with their math learning and problem solving by supporting their cognitive processes, such as executive function. The gestures that children observe during math instructions are also linked to supporting cognition. Specifically, children are better able to learn, retain, and generalize knowledge about math when that information is presented within the gestures that accompany an instructor's speech. To date, no conceptual model provides an outline regarding how these gestures and the math environment are connected, nor how they may interact with children's underlying cognitive capacities such as their executive function. In this review, we propose a new model based on an integration of the information processing approach and theory of embodied cognition. We provide an in-depth review of the related literature and consider how prior research aligns with each link within the proposed model. Finally, we discuss the utility of the proposed model as it pertains to future research endeavors.

A critical assessment of the construct of attitude in sociolinguistics: A socio-psychological insight (Part 2)

The present article constitutes the second part of a brief critical analysis of the research on attitude and attitude-(speech) behaviour relations. Its major aim is to show that the contribution from the socio-psychological paradigm can prove relevant and valuable when applied to sociolinguistic research on attitude and attitude-behaviour relations. The author argues that attitudinal investigations in sociolinguistics, despite their popularity and rich history, frequently suffer from a number of methodological and theoretical flaws. The author advances an argument that a reconceptualization of the construct of attitude and some additional methodological principles can help refine the whole paradigm of language attitude research. Specifically, it is pointed out that a cognitive/information-processing approach to attitude formation, the theory of planned behaviour and other theoretical and methodological insights discussed in this paper can prove immensely rewarding and can give a new impetus for further research.

A critical assessment of the construct of attitude in sociolinguistcs: A socio-psychological insight (Part 1)

The present article constitutes the first part of a brief critical analysis of the research on attitude and attitude-(speech) behaviour relations. Its major aim is to show that the contribution from the socio-psychological paradigm can prove relevant and valuable when applied to sociolinguistic research on attitude and attitude-behaviour relations. The author argues that attitudinal investigations in sociolinguistics, despite their popu­larity and rich history, frequently suffer from a number of methodological and theoretical flaws. The author advances an argument that a reconceptualization of the construct of attitude and certain methodological principles can help refine the whole language at­titudes paradigm. Specifically, it is pointed out that a cognitive/information-processing approach to attitude formation, the theory of planned behaviour and other theoretical and methodological insights discussed in this paper can prove immensely rewarding and can give a new impetus for further research.

A Case Study of Arabic-Speaking Undergraduate Trainee Interpreters’ Strategies: a Model for Classroom Practice

This paper reports the results of a case study of the strategies used by Arabic-speaking undergraduate simultaneous interpreter (SI) trainees while interpreting in booths under test conditions. The study was discourse-based as it adopted the main premise of the Information Processing approach to SI (Hodzik & Williams 2017, p. 2) which considers interpreting a language-dependent activity. The data consisted of a sample of the aforementioned trainees’ recorded interpretations of a video lecture on solar energy. The data analysis was based on Barik’s (1975, 2002) model of omission, addition and phrasing changes. The results show that the most frequent errors made and/or strategies used by the study subjects are delay omission and comprehension omission. This paper also presents a discourse-based module for SI training. The module is based on the premise that SI comprises an analysis of the comprehension phase of the source speech and the production phase of source speech messages in the target language. The material utilizes the main tenets of Setton’s (1993, 1998, 2002) model of comprehension and production and Seleskovitch’s (2008) model of teaching interpreting. This study thus sought to integrate research on SI into classroom practices.

Not by Data Alone: The Promises and Pitfalls of Data Analysis in Understanding Consciousness

Since the introduction of new technologies, the deluge of neuroscientific data has been overwhelming. On one hand this new information has produced remarkable breakthroughs in our understanding of brain function and development as well as lifesaving treatments for trauma and disease. On the other hand, the lure and reward for explanations of mental phenomena in terms of simple, manipulable brain processes has led to questionable research methodologies and unsubstantiated claims. A more fundamental issue is raised by the attempt to explain consciousness by means of information, as proposed by the Information Integration Theory (IIT). While the models produced by this massive computation of data will no doubt improve our understanding of brain function and capacity, a strict information processing approach cannot address the problem of meaning. A solution to this problem demands an evolutionary, developmental, and dynamic account of an organism in its environment. Data analysis will play a role in this inclusive explanatory program, but explanation is insufficient by data alone.