Exercises in Rethinking Innateness: A Handbook for Connectionist Simulations (Neural Network Modeling and Connectionism) [Paperback]

Kim Plunkett (Author), Jeffrey Elman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Neural Network Modeling and Connectionism | Publication Date: April 25, 1997

This book is the companion volume to Rethinking Innateness: A Connectionist Perspective on Development (The MIT Press, 1996), which proposed a new theoretical framework to answer the question "What does it mean to say that a behavior is innate?" The new work provides concrete illustrations--in the form of computer simulations--of properties of connectionist models that are particularly relevant to cognitive development. This enables the reader to pursue in depth some of the practical and empirical issues raised in the first book. The authors' larger goal is to demonstrate the usefulness of neural network modeling as a research methodology.The book comes with a complete software package, including demonstration projects, for running neural network simulations on both Macintosh and Windows 95. It also contains a series of exercises in the use of the neural network simulator provided with the book. The software is also available to run on a variety of UNIX platforms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kim Plunkett is a University Lecturer in Experimental Psychology and Fellow of St. Hugh's College, Oxford University. Jeffrey L. Elman is Professor of Cognitive Science and Chair of the Department of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, San Diego.

Product Details

• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: A Bradford Book; Pap/Dis edition (April 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262661055
• ISBN-13: 978-0262661058
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #936,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Cognitive Simulation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Connectionism, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Exercises in Rethinking Innateness: A Handbook for Connectionist Simulations (Neural Network Modeling and Connectionism) (Paperback)

Here's a self-contained introduction to connectionist modeling. Easy to read and straight-forward, this text provides software and excercises aimed at stepping a novice through the basics of connectionism. Designed to accompany Rethinking Innateness (1996), these examples provide a glimpse into the world of cognitive modeling. The examples can, at times, be frustrating and the text is in need of more debugging hints; yet, the simulations are rewarding and thought-provoking. While those already familiar with connectionism will find the excercises too basic, those curious about connectionism will find the book a great place to start and one that doesn't bog the reader down with technical jargon. It is accessible, enjoyable, and written by two key players in connectionism: Kim Plunkett and Jeff Elman. Well worth reading, but only if the reader is willing to work through the basic simulations and answer the excercises along the way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Connectionism, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Exercises in Rethinking Innateness: A Handbook for Connectionist Simulations (Neural Network Modeling and Connectionism) (Paperback)

Here's a self-contained introduction to connectionist modeling. Easy to read and straight-forward, this text provides software and excercises aimed at stepping a novice through the basics of connectionism. Designed to accompany Rethinking Innateness (1996), these examples provide a glimpse into the world of cognitive modeling. The examples can, at times, be frustrating and the text is in need of more debugging hints; yet, the simulations are rewarding and thought-provoking. While those already familiar with connectionism will find the excercises too basic, those curious about connectionism will find the book a great place to start and one that doesn't bog the reader down with technical jargon. It is accessible, enjoyable, and written by two key players in connectionism: Kim Plunkett and Jeff Elman. Well worth reading, but only if the reader is willing to work through the basic simulations and answer the excercises along the way.