Neuroconstructivism - II: Perspectives and Prospects (Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience) - Hardcover

Mareschal, Denis; Sirois, Sylvain; Westermann, Gert; Johnson, Mark H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198529929 ISBN 13: 9780198529927

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2007

Synopsis

What are the processes, from conception to adulthood, that enable a single cell to grow into a sentient adult? The processes that occur along the way are so complex that any attempt to understand development necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating data from cognitive studies, computational work, and neuroimaging - an approach till now seldom taken in the study of child development.

Neuroconstructivism is a major new 2 volume publication that seeks to redress this balance, presenting an integrative new framework for considering development. Computer and robotic models provide concrete tools for investigating the processes and mechanisms involved in learning and development. Volume 2 illustrates the principles of 'Neuroconstructivist' development, with contributions from 9 different labs across the world. Each of the contributions illustrates how models play a central role in understanding development. The models presented include standard connectionist neural network models as well as multi-agent models. Also included are robotic models emphasizing the need to take embodiment and brain-system interactions seriously. A model of Autism and one of Specific Language Impairment also illustrate how atypical development can be understood in terms of the typical processes of development but operating under restricted conditions. This volume complements Volume 1 by providing concrete examples of how the 'Neuroconstructivist' principles can be grounded within a diverse range of domains, thereby shaping the research agenda in those domains.

About this title

Review

"A very exciting and important book, and a significant advance in our understanding of brain and behavioral development." --Jeff Elman, Professor of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego
"A very exciting and important book, and a significant advance in our understanding of brain and behavioral development." --Jeff Elman, Professor of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego
"A very exciting and important book, and a significant advance in our understanding of brain and behavioral development." --Jeff Elman, Professor of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego

"Manages to provide specific useful information and does so while maintaining a connection to functional issues. For more advanced readers interested in computational modeling, this book provides a worthwhile read."--Doody's

About the Author

Denis Mareschal is at Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. Sylvain Sirois is at the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. Gert Westermann is at the Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, UK.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198529929
• ISBN 13: 9780198529927
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288