Objective
Cognition is often said to arise from information processing. Indeed, information theory has been applied to explain aspects of human cognition, such as fluctuations in cognitive load during reading: By computing how much information each word conveys, it can be shown that reading more informative words takes longer, and leads to dilation of the reader’s pupils. However, it is as yet unclear how these observed effects of word information come about: What are the underlying mechanisms from which they emerge? The proposed project aims to fill this gap in our understanding of human language, by combing computational modelling and human experimental research.
First, an original model is developed, based on the Deep Belief Network (DBN) architecture, that extracts language statistics from a large text corpus. As a well-defined probability model, the DBN can compute word-information values over a set of test sentences. These values, which depend only on the acquired language statistics, form _predictions_ of word-reading times and pupil size. In addition, DBNs are neurally inspired and can be made to process input dynamically, mimicking cognitive processing over continuous time. This yields _simulated_ reading times, which depend on the model’s processing assumptions. Likewise, model-internal dynamics will be taken to simulate cognitive load that correlates with pupil size. Next, in eye-tracking and pupillometry studies, _actual_ reading-time and pupil-size data are collected over the same test sentences as processed by the model.
Statistical analyses of the relations between predicted, simulated, and actual data will reveal how, exactly, the effects of word information arise. This greatly increases our understanding of the structures and mechanisms involved in language comprehension. Moreover, the project will yield a more accurate cognitive interpretation of pupil dilation and can elucidate the relation between information-theoretical and psychological constructs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- humanities languages and literature general language studies
- social sciences psychology psycholinguistics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.