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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 consequence
of failed prediction
Prediction ≠ result
Awareness of the strategy
Counterfactual strategy
actual strategy
Counterfactual
strategy
Comparison
reflection
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, 491507
Decety, J.et al.(1997) Brain activity during observation of
action. Brain, 120, 1763-1777
Jeannerod, M. (2003) Consciousness of action and selfconsciousness. 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