The Cognitive Science Society is hosting a 2003-2004 virtual colloquium series presented live via the Internet, with the second talk given by = Linda B. Smith. Register now to attend this free one hour seminar. Time: 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 6, 2004 Presenter: Linda B. Smith, Indiana University Topic: Symbolic Play, Early Word Learning, and the Perception of Shape The main theme of this talk is developmental process - how it is = literally created out of multiple causes that interact in weird loops such that = the causes are consequences and the consequences are causes and such that = causes (and consequences) are spread over many different kinds of components. = The talk also connects two literatures that are pretty much entirely = separate - theories of object recognition in the adult literature and symbolic play = in children. The experiments suggest a new agenda for research in one of = these (object recognition) and a re-conceptualization of the other (symbolic play). The central conclusion is this: Children's early learning of = object names creates an abstract description of object shape that in turns = enables children to extend actions to objects (sometimes in the form of symbolic play) which in turn promotes the development of more abstract representations of object shape which in turn promote the learning of = object names. If one draws out these connections, one sees weird loops of = causes as consequences and consequences as causes, the very stuff of developmental change. Further information about this talk, the colloquium series, a schedule = of future talks, and an archive of previous talks are available at http://www.cognitivesciencesociety.org/colloquium Contact Janet Morrow, [log in to unmask], with any questions about = registration for this seminar. Please forward this invitation to colleagues who would benefit from this seminar or the series. Sincerely, Tom Ward, Executive Officer, Cognitive Science Society Thomas B. Ward Center for Creative Media Box 870172 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172 http://bama.ua.edu/~tward email: [log in to unmask]