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There is a perceived tension between empirical and theoretical approaches to the study of language. Many recent works in the discipline emphasise that linguistics is an 'empirical science'. This volume argues for a nuanced view, highlighting that theory and practice necessarily and as a matter of fact complement each other in linguistic research. Its contributions ranging from experimental studies in psychology via linguistic fieldwork and cross-linguistic comparisons to the application of formal and logical approaches to language exemplify the mutual relationship between empirical and theoretical work. The volume illustrates how selected topics are addressed by different contributions and methodological stances. Topics include the cognitive grounding of language, social cognition and the construction of meaning in interaction, and, closely related, pragmatics from a typological perspective and beyond. Anyone interested in these topics and more generally in meta-theoretical considerations will find great value in this volume.
Our ability to attend selectively to our surroundings - taking notice of the things that matter, and ignoring those that don't - is crucial if we are to negotiate the world around us in an efficient manner. Several aspects of the temporal dimension turn out to be critical in determining how we can put together and select the events that are important to us as they themselves unfold over time. For example, we often miss events that happen while we are occupied perceiving or responding to another stimulus. On the other hand, temporal regularity between events can also greatly improve our perception. In addition, our perception of the passage of time itself can also be distorted as while we are...
Rousell examines the rich and complex nuances of the science of surprise and shows us how we can use it strategically to enrich lives. Random events transform us. After studying formative events, moments that define us, for over three decades, Michael Rousell discovered that most of them took place during a spark of surprise. This breakthrough launched a fascinating journey from neuroscience to stand-up comedy. Rousell draws on research from a wide variety of brain science disciplines (cognition, motivation, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, persuasion, evolution, and learning), then examines those who already use surprise strategically (comedians, film directors, entertaine...
Processing time requires a complex set of abilities that dictates how one adapts to the environment. Timing is key in how we communicate, organize our space and understand the world. When timing is intact, it often exists below one's conscious awareness, but when one's ability to process time is disrupted, the effects are noticeable and widespread. To better understand the construct of temporal dysfunction, one has to examine the concept of timing from multiple angles. An integrative approach is required to understand the possible biological, cognitive and psychological etiologies of temporal dysfunction. In addition, expertise in language, measurement and psychopathology are necessary to co...
Much remains unknown about the cognitive mechanisms and information-processing biases involved in threat detection, or the acquisition and maintenance of threat associations. To complicate the picture, these mechanisms and biases likely differ between various types of threats (e.g., those originating from animals, weapons, social situations, or groups). There has been a recent push to highlight ways of improving methods used in research in this area, which has likewise prompted theoretical revisions. It is therefore important to continue clarifying the cognitive mechanism (e.g., perception, attention, memory, learning) underlying threat processing to develop a better understanding of how they affect social outcomes. For example, very little is known about how social identity, hierarchy, group structure, and other social cues affect our responses in threatening situations. As the social environment impacts our daily psychological functioning, one might suspect it has an important role in threat processing as well.
Creativity has the potential to improve quality of life. It can also be conceived as a tool in educational and rehabilitation settings. Therefore, it is the aim of this Research Topic to further show how creativity can be used and encourage the application of creativity in pedagogical and clinical contexts.
The role of interpreters in conflict situations is of increasing real world importance. There are ethical, cultural, and professional issues that have yet to be explored, and there is a need for specialised training that addresses the specific contexts in which interpreters perform their duties, considering the situated nature of interpreting in these contexts. This volume is structured around interpreter training in different contexts of conflict and post-conflict, from military operations and international tribunals to asylum-seeking and refugee, humanitarian, and human rights missions. Themes covered include risk management and communication, ethics and professional demeanour, language te...
Multitasking refers to performance of multiple tasks. The most prominent types of multitasking are situations including either temporal overlap of the execution of multiple tasks (i.e., dual tasking) or executing multiple tasks in varying sequences (i.e., task switching). In the literature, numerous attempts have aimed at theorizing about the specific characteristics of executive functions that control interference between simultaneously and/or sequentially active component of task-sets in these situations. However, these approaches have been rather vague regarding explanatory concepts (e.g., task-set inhibition, preparation, shielding, capacity limitation), widely lacking theories on detailed mechanisms and/ or empirical evidence for specific subcomponents. The present research topic aims at providing a selection of contributions on the details of executive functioning in dual-task and task switching situations. The contributions specify these executive functions by focusing on (1) fractionating assumed mechanisms into constituent subcomponents, (2) their variations by age or in clinical subpopulations, and/ or (3) their plasticity as a response to practice and training.
From our ability to attend to many stimuli occurring in rapid succession to the transformation of memories during a night of sleep, cognition occurs over widely varying time scales spanning milliseconds to days and beyond. Cognitive processing is often influenced by several behavioral variables as well as nonlinear interactions between multiple neural systems. This frequently produces unpredictable patterns of behavior and makes understanding the underlying temporal factors influencing cognition a fruitful area of hypothesis development and scientific inquiry. Across two reviews, a perspective, and twelve original research articles covering the domains of learning, memory, attention, cognitive control, and social decision making this research topic sheds new light on the temporal dynamics of cognitive processing.