Abstract
This paper tries to explain: How we tend to automatically ascribe mental representations to social actors on the basis of scripts, roles, categories and prejudices, norms, and several heuristics; or by default; how scripts and roles should be filled in with the actors' mental attitudes; how social interaction systematically requires assumptions about the other's mind; how those mental attitudes can be the non-intended or non-understood function of our behavior/role. What really matters is that we assume that those beliefs and goals are there, and we act 'as if' it were so. A further claim of this work is that this mechanism of mind ascription while reading another's behavior or its traces (stigmergy), is the basis for a fundamental form of communication: Behavioral Implicit Communication (or BIC), which works without words or special protocols. An efficient coordination-in humans but also in artificial agents-exploits (or should exploit) not only the mere 'observation' of such agents, but more precisely this form of silent communication (which should not be confused with non-verbal or expressive communication). The message-sending paradigm dominating CSCW, MAS, HCI, and H-Robot-I, is here criticized; necessity and advantages of BIC for coordination and cooperation are presented.
Highlights
This paper tries to explain: How we tend to automatically ascribe mental representations to social actors on the basis of scripts, roles, categories and prejudices, norms, and several heuristics; or by default; how scripts and roles should be filled in with the actors’ mental attitudes; how social interaction systematically requires assumptions about the other’s mind; how those mental attitudes can be the non-intended or non-understood function of our behavior/role
When it comes to explaining social interaction, the variety of competing theories purporting to account for folk-psychology and mindreading are no longer the only options available”. [2] p.1b
In this contribution we will illustrated another -not enough considered -option, by stressing the role of automatic ascription of minds based on scripts and on Behavioral Communication
Summary
The cognitive approach to social phenomena is often read with the glasses of the philosophical debate on mind reading, TheoryTheory, etc. vs. mirroring, simulation, empathy, alignment; and of the “Language of Thought”. By looking at another’s mask, we know his or her mind; we are entitled and even requested to assume that (s) he has certain beliefs and goals On such a basis we are supposed to interact with him or her, and to play our own role/character. Scripts (or “Social models”)g [23] are not an alternative to mind ascription/reading; they are one of the alternatives to complex inferences and abductive reasoning This was precisely the cognitive motivation of scripts: For reading others’ behavior, for expectation and planrecognition, and for behavioral decisions” [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
