Learning from the existence of models: On psychic machines, tortoises, and computer simulations

Abstract

Using four examples of models and computer simulations from the history of psychology, I discuss some of the methodological aspects involved in their construction and use, and I illustrate how the existence of a model can demonstrate the viability of a hypothesis that had previously been deemed impossible on a priori grounds. This shows a new way in which scientists can learn from models that extends the analysis of Morgan (1999), who has identified the construction and manipulation of models as those phases in which learning from models takes place.

Why We Cannot Learn from Minimal Models

“…14 At this stage, a proponent of LMM may well rebut that heuristic applications of minimal models can foster justified changes in confidence in hypotheses concerning the possible worlds posited by such models (see e.g. Schlimm, 2009, on how the existence of mathematical models can demonstrate the internal consistency of hypotheses that were formerly deemed to be impossible on a priori grounds). This rebuttal, however, would hardly help the proponents of LMM to substantiate this thesis.…”

The explanation paradox

“…Grüne-Yanoff writes that folk wisdom is full of modal claims such as 'Necessarily, segregation is a consequence of racist preferences' or 'It is impossible that intelligent behaviour be produced without a "vitalistic" element present in the organism ' (2009, p. 96). We learn about the world from models such as Schelling's (1978) model of racial segregation or Hull's psychic machines, Walter's tortoises and Newell and Simon's simulations, as discussed in Schlimm (2009), that there are possible worlds in which the held beliefs are not true. We learn a possibility result that racial segregation can result from non-racist preferences; that machines can produce intelligent behaviour.…”

Percalços na história da ciência: B. F. Skinner e a aceitação inicial da Análise Experimental do comportamento entre as décadas de 1930 e 1940

“…Ademais, formulações atuais identificam o trabalho de Hull como parte constituinte da história da Inteligência Artificial e de outros campos de pesquisa, como a Ciberné-tica, que ganharam força na segunda metade do século XX (Schlimm, 2009). Sobre Tolman, o próprio Skinner (1988) sugere que esse teria sido um dos precursores da moderna Psicologia Cognitiva que surge nas décadas de 1950de e 1960de , e Chiesa (1994 irá afirmar que "como um psicólogo tentando desenvolver métodos mais alinhados com as ciências naturais, Tolman pertence à tradição 'comportamental'.…”