Multiple object tracking supports thematic role features for language
A central feature of language is the ability to generalise beyond our previous experience to understand unfamiliar input and produce novel sentences (Hockett & Hockett, 1960). It is suggested that thematic roles support this ability by labelling the participants of an event with functions such as the agent and patient (Jackendoff, 1972). However, the nature of these roles is unclear, as language-based theories (e.g., Dowty, 1991) have often relied upon abstract conceptual features that are difficult to define or are not always available in the input. Yet, connectionist models of language have been unable to demonstrate systematic behaviour without including such role variables (Chang, 2002). This thesis aimed to address this issue by considering whether thematic roles in language are supported by the visual system, which allows viewers to track multiple objects in parallel (Pylyshyn & Storm, 1988) and identify their roles in causal events from their movement features (Scholl & Tremoulet, 2000). To test this connection, a total of nine experiments were conducted with adult participants using a modified version of the multiple object tracking paradigm. In this task, pairs of white circles engaged in causal push
Jessop, Andrew Allen
Multiple object tracking supports thematic role features for language. A central feature of language is the ability to generalise beyond our previous experience to understand unfamiliar input and produce novel sentences (Hockett & Hockett, 1960). It is suggested that thematic roles support this ability by labelling the participants of an event with functions such as the agent and patient (Jackendoff, 1972). However, the nature of these roles is unclear, as language-based theories (e.g., Dowty, 1991) have often relied upon abstract conceptual features that are difficult to define or are not always available in the input. Yet, connectionist models of language have been unable to demonstrate systematic behaviour without including such role variables (Chang, 2002). This thesis aimed to address this issue by considering whether thematic roles in language are supported by the visual system, which allows viewers to track multiple objects in parallel (Pylyshyn & Storm, 1988) and identify their roles in causal events from their movement features (Scholl & Tremoulet, 2000). To test this connection, a total of nine experiments were conducted with adult participants using a modified version of the multiple object tracking paradigm. In this task, pairs of white circles engaged in causal push
multiple object track support thematic_role feature_language central feature_language ability generalise beyond previous experience unfamiliar input produce novel sentence and suggest thematic_role support ability labelling participant event function agent patient jackendoff however nature role unclear language based theory often rely_upon abstract conceptual feature difficult define always available input yet connectionist model language unable systematic behaviour without include role variable aim_address issue_consider whether thematic_role language support visual system_allow viewer track multiple object parallel and storm identify role causal event movement feature and test connection total conduct adult participant use modified version multiple object track paradigm task pair white circle engage causal push