Object perception in the Neural Modeling Fields framework

Author(s)

Fontanari, Jose F. ; Perlovsky, Leonid I. ; IEEE

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: 2007 IEEE INTERNATIONAL JOINT CONFERENCE ON NEURAL NETWORKS, VOLS 1-6; v. N/A, p. 3-pg., 2008-01-01.

Abstract

Movement seems to be the key ingredient to understanding how children perceive (and hence name) objects in their environment. This insight, which is based on Spelke's experiments on language acquisition by children, is akin to Aristotle's conception of object as a "continuous thing" that has one and only one movement. Here we test this idea with a computer experiment in which the perceptual system of the individual is modeled by the Neural Modeling Fields categorization mechanism, and the environment is composed of two complex objects that can move with respect to each other. Rather remarkably, we find that movement indeed makes possible the differentiation of objects which the individual would deem indistinguishable if motionless. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/06156-3 - Replicators: applications in pre-biotic evolution and language
• Grantee: José Fernando Fontanari
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants