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 t 0 one cannot predict its activity at t 0 + 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

Counterfactual strategy actual 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, Decety, J.et al.(1997) Brain activity during observation of action. Brain, 120, Jeannerod, M. (2003) Consciousness of action and self- consciousness. 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: Tomasello, M. (1999) The cultural origins of human cognition, Harvard University Press