Carroll's Autonomous Induction Theory: Combining Views from UG and Information Processing Theories

MacWhinney (2004) has provided a clear and welcome synthesis of many strands of the recent research addressing the logical problem of first language acquisition from a non-nativist or non-generative grammar framework. The strand that I will comment on is the one MacWhinney calls the ‘pivot’ of his proposal, namely, that acquiring a grammar is primarily a function of learning ITEM-BASEDPATTERNS (e.g. pp. 23–29, 41, passim). These item-based patterns serve a number of dominant roles within MacWhinney's proposal, including enforcing children's conservatism (thereby reducing greatly their overgeneralizations and need to recover from the same), supporting the probabilistic nature of grammar, and enabling the competition that promotes recovery from the overgeneralizations that do occur. My concern here is primarily with the first role, that of enforcing children's conservatism, and especially with the exclusive use of language PRODUCTION as the demonstrated support of this conservatism.

MacWhinney's stimulating discussion suggests that there are many lines of argument that may address concerns raised by theorists who are concerned that there is a logical problem of language acquisition. This commentary argues: (1) that if the ‘logical problem’ applied to language, it would apply, with curious consequences to any learning by experience; (2) that the logical problem does not apply – given sufficient positive data from any reasonable language, language can be learned, in a probabilistic sense, by an ‘ideal learner’ using a simplicity principle; and (3) that a simplicity, or minimum description length, principle may provide a useful methodology for assessing claims concerning learnability of particular linguistic structures.

MacWhinney's paper focuses on the role of input and learning strategies in explaining how language is acquired, essentially denying the poverty of stimulus assumption on which the so-called ‘logical problem of language acquisition’ is based.

The Principles-and-Parameters Theory marked an important milestone in formal linguistic theoryby offering a plausible solution to the logical problem of language acquisition, leading to a productive field of inquiry that uncovered important universal properties and macro-patterns of parametric variation among an unprecedented number of languages. Recent advances in parametric theory have capitalized on microparametric variation, raising certain questions about the status of macro-parameters. In this chapter, developing recent work and using the facts of Chinese as a paradigm case, we show that (a) both macro- and microparameters are needed in linguistic theory, (b) macroparameters are simply aggregates of microparameters acting in concert with a conservative learning strategy, and (c) the (micro)parameters themselves are hierarchically organized. Assuming a ‘three factors’ model, we take parameters to be emergent properties that result from the interaction of a radically unspecified UG, experience, and third-factor principles like Feature Economy and Input Generalization.

Logical development: The Logical Problem of Language Acquisition C. L. Baker and John J. McCarthy. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1981. Pp. xii + 358. $30.00

While previous machine learning protocols have failed to achieve even observational adequacy in acquiring natural language, generative large language models (LLMs) now produce large amounts of free text with few grammatical errors. This is surprising in view of what is known as “the logical problem of language acquisition”. Given the likely absence of negative evidence in the training process, how would the LLM acquire the information that certain strings are to be avoided as ill-formed? We attempt to employ Dutch-speaking ChatGPT as a linguistic informant by capitalizing on the documented “few shot learning” ability of LLMs. We then investigate whether ChatGPT has acquired familiar island constraints, in particular the CNPC, and compare its performance to that of native speakers. Although descriptive and explanatory adequacy may remain out of reach, initial results indicate that ChatGPT performs well over chance in detecting island violations.

Clinical reasoning assessment is an essential component of determining a health professional’s competence. Clinical reasoning cannot be assessed directly. It must be gleaned from a health professional’s choices and decisions. Clinical knowledge and knowledge organization, rather than a general problem solving process, serve as the substrate for clinical reasoning ability. Unfortunately, the lack of a gold standard for the clinical reasoning process and the observation of context specificity make it difficult to assess clinical reasoning. Information processing theory, which focuses on the way the brain processes and organizes knowledge, has provided valuable insights into the cognitive psychology of diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning but failed to explain the variance in health professional’s diagnostic performance. Situativity theory has emerged suggesting that this variance relates to context-specific factors that impact a health professional’s clinical reasoning performance. Both information processing and situativity theory inform the way in which we assess clinical reasoning. Current assessment methods focus on standardized testing of knowledge to maximize psychometric parameters and work-based assessments which evaluate clinical reasoning under authentic, uncertain conditions that can decrease the reliability of these measurements. Issues of inter-rater reliability and context specificity require that multiple raters assess multiple encounters in multiple contexts to optimize validity and reliability. No single assessment method can assess all aspects of clinical reasoning; therefore, in order to improve the quality of assessments of clinical reasoning ability, different combinations of methods that measure different components of the clinical reasoning process are needed.

This article seeks to integrate two concepts, motor heuristics (Raab, 2017. Motor heuristics and embodied choices: How to choose and act. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 34–37) and movement analogies (Masters, 2000. Theoretical aspects of implicit learning in sport. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 31(4), 530–541), into a new theory: the Theory of Simplified Information Processing during Actions. Following the two-step theory integration programme proposed by Gigerenzer (2017. A theory integration program. Decision, 4(3), 133–145), we first describe the commonalities and differences between empirical phenomena associated with motor heuristics and movement analogies, and then analyse how the two concepts produce functionally equivalent outcomes. Both motor heuristics and movement analogies try to explain how actions can be performed with minimal cognitive effort, especially in circumstances where information overload may occur. They emphasise the power of simplicity, postulating that “less-is-more” when it comes to the information that needs to be processed to enable successful sports performance. The functionally equivalent outcome of simplified information processing is achieved by different cognitive means: Motor heuristics simplify movement selection by rank ordering information, whereas movement analogies are thought to simplify movement execution by chunking information. Empirically testing the predictions and assumed mechanisms of the Theory of Simplified Information Processing during Actions will improve our understanding of how humans effectively select and execute movements in situations in which information processing demands are high. Understanding how information is efficiently processed to guide actions will allow practitioners to develop effective evidence-based interventions that help to stabilise and improve performance in demanding sports settings.

Vocabulary acquisition is an important task in second language acquisition field which has drawn more and more attention, which is the central task and listening, speaking, reading, writing, interpreting cannot get rid of the dependence on vocabulary. Therefore, vocabulary teaching should be given primary importance among priorities. In order to cultivate various abilities of learning English, we have to start from language so as to effectively help students enlarge vocabulary. Besides, to improve the ability of applying vocabulary knowledge is the guarantee to improve the English teaching quality. This paper starts from the perspective of information processing model in cognitive psychology to analyze the effect of memory on vocabulary teaching, aiming to study the effect on foreign vocabulary memorizing based on this theoretical basis. Information processing theory is one of the theories of cognitive psychology, which focuses on the process of receiving, processing and applying information. Keywords-Cognitive psychology; Memory model; Vocabulary Teaching; Information

This article explores how digital procurement can significantly enhance supply chain resilience, drawing on the lens of Information Processing Theory (IPT). In an increasingly volatile and complex global environment, supply chains face heightened risks of disruption, requiring firms to improve their ability to acquire, process, and act upon critical information. Digital procurement technologies, including advanced analytics, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence, expand the information-processing capabilities of organizations by enabling superior data integration, transparency, and collaborative decision-making. Through a theoretical discussion anchored in IPT, this paper elucidates how digital procurement reduces information asymmetry and increases processing speed and accuracy, thereby supporting more agile and robust responses to supply chain disruptions. The article systematically analyzes mechanisms such as real-time data sharing, predictive analytics, and automation of procurement processes, highlighting their roles in enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities. Moreover, it discusses how digital procurement facilitates coordination across diverse supply network actors, strengthening collective resilience. The study contributes to the literature by integrating IPT with digital procurement research, offering a novel conceptual framework to explain the linkages between technology-enabled information processing and supply chain resilience. This perspective underscores the importance of investing in digital procurement not merely as an efficiency driver but as a critical enabler of strategic resilience. Implications for managers and policymakers are also discussed, emphasizing the need to prioritize digital transformation initiatives that enhance information flow and processing throughout the supply chain. Overall, this article offers valuable theoretical and practical insights into leveraging digital procurement to build more resilient and adaptive supply chains.

Young EFL learners' processing of multimodal input: Examining learners’ eye movements

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of cross-functional coordination (cross-functional system, process and team coordination) on customer coordination (customer strategic and operational coordination) and operational performance. Following the lens of information processing theory (IPT), this study examines the diverse mechanisms of cross-functional coordination practices in enhancing firms’ information processing capabilities (IPCs) to cope with the higher information processing demands resulting from customer coordination, finally improving operational performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from 410 Chinese manufacturers, the authors use the structural equation modeling method to test the theoretical model.FindingsThe authors found that cross-functional system coordination is positively associated with customer operational coordination (COC) but not customer strategic coordination (CSC). Cross-functional process coordination increases both customer strategic and operational coordination. Cross-functional team coordination significantly promotes CSC but not COC. Both customer operational and strategic coordination facilitate operational performance.Originality/valueThis research pioneers in identifying three dimensions of cross-functional coordination based on IPT and examine their distinct impacts on various customer coordination activities. The authors distinguish two customer coordination dimensions and reveal their effects on operational performance. This research contributes to the development of IPT. Additionally, this study provides guidelines for managers to coordinate internal departments and collaborate with external customers to enhance firms’ operational performance.

PurposeSupply chain resilience (SCR) has attracted much attention in the context of the high uncertainty caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), local regional conflicts and natural disasters. Based on information processing theory (IPT), this study investigates the role of supply chain information processing capability in enhancing SCR through supply chain governance (SCG), under different conditions of environmental uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothetical model is tested by using hierarchical regression on the primary samples collected from the Chinese manufacturing industry.FindingsThe results indicate that supply chain information processing capability has a significant positive effect on SCR. Also, SCG plays a mediating role between supply chain information processing capability and SCR. Furthermore, environmental uncertainty positively moderates the effect of supply chain information acquisition and supply chain information analysis on relational governance. However, environmental uncertainty only positively moderates the effect of supply chain information analysis on contractual governance.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explain the effect of information processing capability on SCR from the supply chain perspective, while also exploring the mediating role of SCG between SCR and supply chain information processing capacity, based on IPT.

The primary goal of auditory science is to provide a full account of how humans and animals hear sounds of all kinds: the sounds of everyday life, environmental sounds, speech, and music. A comprehensive, neurally grounded theory of hearing is needed that explains precisely how we hear what we hear. This chapter discusses cortical function in the context of such a theory. The first half of the chapter (Sections 13.2 and 13.3) outlines the basic structure of hearing (what is to be explained) and the various aspects of neural information processing that are needed for adequate explanations of auditory function (the terms of the explanations). The second half (Section 13.4) lists some of the fundamental outstanding experimental and theoretical problems that need to be solved.

Despite the remarkable cognitive power, humans are not alien beings living in their isolated universe but part of the Earth’s biosphere – a dynamic, intelligent system. The working of the human mind and society is built upon and follows the principles of the natural world. In today’s modern society, where technological advancement has significantly increased information accessibility to new knowledge, social sciences can greatly benefit from discoveries in natural sciences. In this book, the latest findings in life sciences are used as evidence to demonstrate and explain the mechanisms of psychological and social information processes. Mindsponge is a novel theory of information processing in the human mind. The mechanisms of information processing are present in all levels of the natural world – from ecological and physiological down to cellular and molecular. As a subset of nature, humans express these patterns in the way we think, believe, behave, and establish social constructs. By looking at the intelligent “minds” of nature, a more accurate framework for human cognition can be logically derived. The mindsponge theory reflects the physical, chemical, and biological laws upon the mental world, not the other way around. Throughout the book, readers will find interesting, often hilarious,