Parallel Distributed Processing, Volume 2 Vol. 2 : Explorations in the Microstructure of Cognition: Psychological and Biological Models

PDP Research Group, P. D. P. Research, Mcclelland, James L., Rumelhart, David E.

ISBN 10: 0262631105 / ISBN 13: 9780262631105

Published by MIT Press, 1987

About this Item

Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 6730592-6

Bibliographic Details

Title: Parallel Distributed Processing, Volume 2 ...

Publisher: MIT Press

Publication Date: 1987

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis:

What makes people smarter than computers? The work described in these two volumes suggests that the answer lies in the massively parallel architecture of the human mind. It is some of the most exciting work in cognitive science, unifying neural and cognitive processes in a highly computational framework, with links to artificial intelligence. Although thought and problem solving have a sequential character when viewed over a time frame of minutes or hours, the authors argue that each step in the sequence is the result of the simultaneous activity of a large number of simple computational elements, each influencing others and being influenced by them. Parallel Distributed Processing describes their work in developing a theoretical framework for describing this parallel distributed processing activity and in applying the framework to the development of models of aspects of perception, memory, language, and thought. Volume 2 applies to a number of specific issues in cognitive science and neuroscience. Some chapters describe models of aspects of perception, memory, language, and thought. Others discuss the relation between parallel distributed processing models and neurophysiology or describe models that are specifically addressed to neurophysiological data. The book concludes with an epilogue noting the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and directions for the future.

Review:

This two-volume work is now considered a classic in the field. It presents the results of the Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) group's work in the early 1980s and provides a good overview of the earlier neural network research. The PDP approach (also known as connectionism among other things) is based on the conviction that various aspects of cognitive activity are thought of in terms of massively parallel processing. The first volume starts with the general framework and continues with an analysis of learning mechanisms and various mathematical and computational tools important in the analysis of neural networks. The chapter on backpropagation is written by Rumelhart, Hinton, and Williams, who codiscovered the algorithm in 1986. The second volume is written with a psychological and biological emphasis. It explores the relationship of PDP to various aspects of human cognition. The book is a comprehensive research survey of its time and most of the book's results and methods are still at the foundation of the neural network field.