This study presents a modular connectionist model of the development of seriation in children. The model makes use of the cascade-correlation generative algorithm. The algorithm builds its own network topology as is required to solve the task. This model develops in a stage-like manner and goes beyond the previous rule based models by successfully capturing both the variability in strategies used and the sensitivity to differences in size increments. The application of a systematic operational procedure to a subset of the elements in the series is identified as a source of empirical seriation. Finally, the model predicts that the degree of disorder of the array under construction is a significant factor in determining the observed seriating behavior. A follow-up study involving 4- to 7-year-old children finds that the degree of disorder is a significant factor in children's abilities to recognize a completed series.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.56912 |
Date | January 1992 |
Creators | Mareschal, Denis |
Contributors | Schultz, T. R. (advisor) |
Publisher | McGill University |
Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Format | application/pdf |
Coverage | Master of Arts (Department of Psychology.) |
Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
Relation | alephsysno: 001324570, proquestno: AAIMM87621, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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