The language of geometry: Fast comprehension of geometrical primitives and rules in human adults and preschoolers

Amalric, Marie; Wang, Liping; Pica, Pierre; Figueira, Santiago; Sigman, Mariano

The language of geometry: Fast comprehension of geometrical primitives and rules in human adults and preschoolers

Página do item simplificado Estatísticas

dc.contributor.author	Amalric, Marie
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Liping
dc.contributor.author	Pica, Pierre
dc.contributor.author	Figueira, Santiago
dc.contributor.author	Sigman, Mariano
dc.date.accessioned	2017-03-02T13:52:54Z
dc.date.available	2017-03-02T13:52:54Z
dc.date.issued	2017-01-26
dc.description.resumo	During language processing, humans form complex embedded representations from sequential inputs. Here, we ask whether a “geometrical language” with recursive embedding also underlies the human ability to encode sequences of spatial locations. We introduce a novel paradigm in which subjects are exposed to a sequence of spatial locations on an octagon, and are asked to predict future locations. The sequences vary in complexity according to a well-defined language comprising elementary primitives and recursive rules. A detailed analysis of error patterns indicates that primitives of symmetry and rotation are spontaneously detected and used by adults, preschoolers, and adult members of an indigene group in the Amazon, the Munduruku, who have a restricted numerical and geometrical lexicon and limited access to schooling. Furthermore, subjects readily combine these geometrical primitives into hierarchically organized expressions. By evaluating a large set of such combinations, we obtained a first view of the language needed to account for the representation of visuospatial sequences in humans, and conclude that they encode visuospatial sequences by minimizing the complexity of the structured expressions that capture them.	pt_BR
dc.identifier.uri	https://repositorio.ufrn.br/jspui/handle/123456789/22104
dc.language	eng	pt_BR
dc.rights	Acesso Aberto	pt_BR
dc.subject	geometrical language	pt_BR
dc.subject	spatial locations	pt_BR
dc.subject	geometrical lexico	pt_BR
dc.title	The language of geometry: Fast comprehension of geometrical primitives and rules in human adults and preschoolers	pt_BR
dc.type	article	pt_BR