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The missing link: Dynamic, modifiable representations in working memory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2008

Graeme S. Halford ,
Steven Phillips  and
William H. Wilson
Graeme S. Halford
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
Steven Phillips
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8568. Japan
William H. Wilson
Affiliation:
School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. g.halford@griffith.edu.auhttp://www.griffith.edu.au/school/psy/ProfessorGraemeHalfordsteve@ni.aist.go.jphttp://staff.aist.go.jp/steven.phillipsbillw@cse.unsw.edu.auhttp://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~billw
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Abstract

We propose that the missing link from nonhuman to human cognition lies with our ability to form, modify, and re-form dynamic bindings between internal representations of world-states. This capacity goes beyond dynamic feature binding in perception and involves a new conception of working memory. We propose two tests for structured knowledge that might alleviate the impasse in empirical research in nonhuman animal cognition.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 137 - 138
Copyright
Copyright ©Cambridge University Press 2008

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