Symbolic Communication Systems Research Articles

Uncovering terra incognita in the AHD design space: A review of affective haptic devices

Affective haptic devices (AHDs) have been developed with the aim of communicating touch acts, symbolic messages, emotions, and/or providing a sense of social awareness. Within AHDs, three categories can be distinguished: mediated social touch (MST), symbolic communication systems, and awareness systems. For each of these categories, prototypes have been developed and discussed in the literature. Each such prototype, however, describes but a small part of the design space of AHDs. What is lacking is a description of the design space itself—of all choices that can be considered during the design process. Such a description will allow for a more systematic exploration of AHD designs and provides a means of combining insights gained from individual point solutions (i.e., existing prototypes). Therefore, in this article, we provide a systematic description of the design space of AHDs and its underlying dimensions based on general (e.g., revisability or synchronicity) and AHD-specific (e.g., actuation type) communication system characteristics. This resulted in 17 design dimensions, each consisting of two or more categories (the design characteristics). Based on a systematic literature search from devices up to 2019, 89 AHD prototypes were identified, and each was classified on the design dimensions. The empirical analysis of where these AHDs are located in the design space revealed, first, that potentially interesting characteristics from mediated communication, such as revisability and reviewability, are underexplored in AHDs. Second, MST devices were found to often lack those system characteristics, such as real-time modalities, that seem crucial for providing the affordances needed to simulate social touch. In particular, when comparing symbolic and awareness devices to MST devices, we found the latter to more frequently lack some of the key characteristics of face-to-face communication (i.e., bi-directional and symmetric communication). Limitations and implications are discussed.

Influence of autistic trait on the formation of symbolic communication system

Influence of autistic trait on the formation of symbolic communication system

Why and How Should Cognitive Science Care about Aesthetics?

Empirical aesthetics has found its way into mainstream cognitive science. Until now, most research has focused either on identifying the internal processes that underlie a perceiver's aesthetic experience or on identifying the stimulus features that lead to a specific type of aesthetic experience. To progress, empirical aesthetics must integrate these approaches into a unified paradigm that encourages researchers to think in terms of temporal dynamics and interactions between: (i) the stimulus and the perceiver; (ii) different systems within the perceiver; and (iii) different layers of the stimulus. At this critical moment, empirical aesthetics must also clearly identify and define its key concepts, sketch out its agenda, and specify its approach to grow into a coherent and distinct discipline.

The Emergent Constructive Approach to Evolinguistics: Considering Hierarchy and Intention Sharing in Linguistic Communication

Evolinguistics is an attempt to clarify the origins and evolution of language and communication, thereby deepening our understanding of humans from an evolutionary perspective. The origins of language is characterized by the biological evolution of abilities related to language and communication, and the evolution of language by the structuralization and complexification of language knowledge as well as communication systems through cultural evolution. In Evolinguistics, two idiosyncrasies of human linguistic communication are the primary focus, namely, using hierarchically organized symbol sequences in language and sharing intentions in communication. We believe that the integration of these two characteristics made humans co-creative and smart, and in particular gave us knowledge co-creation capacity. The emergent constructive approach plays an important role in this research, which is a methodology to analyze complex systems by constructing and operating the evolutionary and emergent process of complex phenomena. Two studies taking this approach are introduced in this paper. One is a language evolution experiment in a laboratory to consider the process, mechanisms, and neural basis of symbolic communication systems. The other is an evolutionary simulation of recursive combination, which is thought of as the essential ability to form hierarchical structures. A hypothesis integrating intention sharing and recursive combination is discussed as an abductive reasoning mechanism for understanding others intentions.

The Mirroring of Symbols: An EEG Study on the Role of Mirroring in the Formation of Symbolic Communication Systems

The underlying mechanism of communicative behavior in both humans and other animals was proposed to be “mirroring”, which refers to the similar neural pattern during action production and action observation. Nevertheless, the role of mirroring in human communication remains a puzzle, since human communication systems can take a symbolic form not relying directly on body action. We hypothesized that mirroring contributes to the formation of implied meaning, i.e., connotation, in symbolic communication. We used electroencephalography to study human brain mirroring activity, indexed by mu-suppression measured in 10–12 Hz band over the left-central area, firstly in a non-communicative single-player game then in a communicative coordination game. We evaluated the effect of the mirroring activity in each game upon the performance of symbolic communication in the communicative game. We found that the participants showed significant mirroring in both games performed better on connotation-forming than those who showed significant mirroring in the communicative game only. Our results suggest that imagining signaling action in both communicative and non-communicative contexts could be a key to connotation-forming in symbolic communication.

The development of a robust symbolic communication system for robots via embodied iterated imitation

In this research, real robots are used to model the emergence and development of a symbolic communication system in a group of social agents. It is shown that as the predefined symbols of the language are transmitted among the robots, variations due to embodiment arise in the learned symbols. As a result of these variations, transmissibility of the randomly generated symbols of the language decreases. We introduce multiple cycles of iterated imitation during which the symbols of the language evolve and adapt to the uncertainties in robots’ sensors and actuators. Specific structures emerge in the learned symbols and transmissibility of the language increases. This process is proposed as a model that explains how structural syntax emerges and evolves in a symbolic communication system.

Baboon vocal repertoires and the evolution of primate vocal diversity

A remarkable and derived trait of humans is the faculty for language, and considerable research effort has been devoted to understanding the evolution of speech. In contrast to spoken language, which constitutes a (learned) symbolic communication system, the acoustic structure of nonhuman primate vocalizations is largely genetically fixed. Yet, appreciable differences between different genera and species may exist. Environmental conditions, sexual selection, and characteristics of the social system have been invoked to explain these differences. Here, we studied the acoustic variation of call types and vocal repertoires in the genus Papio. Because the genus comprises both stable groups as well as multi-level societies, and reveals striking variation in the degree of aggressiveness from south to north, it constitutes a promising model to assess the link between social system characteristics and vocal communication. We found that, the vocal repertoires of the different species were composed of the same general call types. A quantitative analysis of the acoustic features of the grunts and loud calls of chacma (Papio ursinus), olive (P. anubis), and Guinea (P. papio) baboons showed subtle acoustic differences within call types, however. Social system characteristics did not map onto acoustic variation. We found no correlation between the structure of grunts and geographic distance; the same was true for female loud calls. Only for male loud calls from three populations, call structure varied with geographic distance. Our findings corroborate the view that the structure of nonhuman primate vocalizations is highly conserved, despite the differences in social systems. Apparently, variation in rate and intensity of occurrence of signals, probably due to different behavioral dispositions in species, are sufficient to allow for plasticity at the level of the social relationships, mating patterns, and social organization.

Feet and fertility in the healing temples: a symbolic communication system between gods and men?

Anatomical ex-votos of feet have always been interpreted as representing the unhealthy part of the body for which patients were asking healing. However, according to the archaeological data and literary...

A semiotic study of regional branding reflected in the slogans of Korean regions

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present analyses of regional slogans is to provide a semiotic perspective for understanding the symbolic communication systems involved in the construction of Korean regional governments. This study attempts to evaluate the slogans in terms of the semantic and morphological aspects of the texts. Findings show an overuse of signs within the slogans of regional governments that weakened the delivery of information regarding local identity. A leading slogan for a large region may create a unique identity in relative terms, whereas second-tier regions tend to mimic the success of others. The present research illustrates that each region of Korea cannot be differentiated in terms of a semantic analysis of linguistic signs. The communication tendencies that influence the creation of slogans for Korean regions are morphologically complex but semantically simple, resulting in the failure of these regions to secure distinctiveness in their individual brand identities.

The Relationship of Teachers' Instructional Decisions and Beliefs about Alternate Assessments to Student Achievement

In the decade since alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) were first required, special education teachers have had to develop content knowledge and pedagogical skills to teach academics to students with significant cognitive disabilities. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that teachers' instructional decisions and beliefs about AA-AAS have on the academic achievement of students with significant cognitive disabilities. A survey of nearly 400 teachers across three states provided evidence of teachers' beliefs, as well as their instructional planning processes for students. Students' learning characteristics were also identified. Survey responses were analyzed in conjunction with students' 2010–2011 scores on their statewide AA-AAS. The results indicated that students with presymbolic communication systems had a lower likelihood of achieving proficiency in English language arts/reading and math than students with abstract symbolic communication. Students with concrete symbolic communication systems had lesser odds of proficiency in ELA/reading but not in math. Teachers who agreed that AA-AAS had an impact on instruction tended to have students with higher achievement proficiency. However, more negative views of the validity of AA-AAS scores were associated with greater odds of proficiency.

Speech acoustics: How much science?

Human vocalizations are sounds made exclusively by a human vocal tract. Among other vocalizations, for example, laughs or screams, speech is the most important. Speech is the primary medium of that supremely human symbolic communication system called language. One of the functions of a voice, perhaps the main one, is to realize language, by conveying some of the speaker's thoughts in linguistic form. Speech is language made audible. Moreover, when phoneticians compare and describe voices, they usually do so with respect to linguistic units, especially speech sounds, like vowels or consonants. It is therefore necessary to understand the structure as well as nature of speech sounds and how they are described. In order to understand and evaluate the speech, it is important to have at least a basic understanding of science of speech acoustics: how the acoustics of speech are produced, how they are described, and how differences, both between speakers and within speakers, arise in an acoustic output. One of the aims of this article is try to facilitate this understanding.

An Investigation of Aided Language Stimulation: Does it Increase AAC Use with Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Complex Communication Needs?

A single subject ABAB design was used to determine the efficacy of aided language stimulation to teach the use of AAC techniques to adults with developmental disabilities. Sixteen participants were divided into two equal groups. In each group, half of the participants were able to communicate functionally using spoken language and half had complex communication needs and did not have functional, symbolic communication systems. Each group met twice weekly for 30 min per session. Researchers modeled the use of AAC and followed scripts during music-based interventions. Sessions focused on social greetings, choosing songs to play, learning words and movements for the songs, and discussing the songs. Participants were encouraged to interact with each other and to facilitate each other's communications. Results suggest that responsiveness and use of AAC increased for all participants with complex communication needs.

An Analysis of the Learning Characteristics of Students Taking Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards

This study examined the learner characteristics of students in alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards in three geographically and demographically different states. On the basis of the results, it can be argued that students in alternate assessments fall into at least two distinct subgroups. The first set of learners have either symbolic or emerging symbolic levels of communication, evidence social engagement, and possess at least some level of functional reading and math skills. The second set of students have not yet acquired formal, symbolic communication systems; may not initiate, maintain, or respond to social interactions consistently; and have no awareness of print, Braille, or numbers. The authors provide implications and considerations of the findings of the Learner Characteristics Inventory for states and practitioners in developing alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards.

Training Communication Partners

If individuals who have severe disabilities are to hold meaningful jobs in the community, take part in leisure events and activities with the general public, and live as independently as possible, they need to communicate effectively with other people in all those environments. Without specific attention to environments and interactions, individuals who do not use symbolic communication systems or who use nonspeech symbolic systems are at risk for few opportunities to communicate and limited expectations to issue a full range of communication messages. Communication disorders professionals today must focus attention on developing communication-rich environments and on working with communication partners to ensure that they expect, recognize, and respond to communication from individuals with severe disabilities. Training efforts must extend to the daily communication partners and must include friends, family members, support staff, and others. Developing Communicative Interactions (DCI), a data-based staff training program that supports the development of a prescribed set of interaction skills by interacting communication partners is reviewed. The merits of staff training efforts that are tailored to the specific needs of the individual being supported are also considered, as well as new online staff training options. The authors call for additional research to specifically document the effects of training communication partners and the development of new training materials.

Symbolic Communication Systems: Symbols on Anthropomorphic Figurines of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic from South-Eastern Europe

AbstractThis paper presents a new approach to analysing and interpreting the Neolithic and Chalcolithic clay figurines of Southeastern Europe. Using an example from the Gradesnica-Krivodol culture complex, a contextual approach based on attribute analysis is discussed. This new approach has the potential to replace earlier approaches, all of which were based on form-typology and analogy. The interpretation of the figurines as representations of 'acting human beings' rather than of mother-goddesses, deceased villagers etc., is demonstrated by analysing decoration, gender, gesture, masks and the breakage of the figurines. A contextual analysis of the decoration of the figurines in relation to all these attributes indicates that a known system with rules of creation existed, that the makers were aware of it and that they conformed to it. Decoration represents much more than clothing, jewellery or aesthetic ornaments. Seen as a combination of elaborate symbols, it can be a first step in uncovering a communica...

Study of raised symbolic communication systems for visually impaired people with additional learning difficulties

ABSTRACT Individuals with a severe visual impairment will have difficulties in accessing conventional picture/print‐based symbols. They will, therefore, be more reliant on tactile/three‐dimensional symbols, for example, braille/objects of reference, as part of their everyday learning. This paper outlines the options currently available for the population of individuals with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment (MDVI) and reviews the main issues to be considered in developing an appropriate system to meet the communication needs of the population.

Linguistically mediated tool use and exchange by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

AbstractTwo chimpanzees have demonstrated the ability to learn to use graphic symbols to ask one another for tools needed to obtain food. The chimps readily attended to and complied with one another's requests by selecting the appropriate tool from six distinct alternatives. They then shared the food obtained by this means and readily reversed the roles of tool requester and tool provider. Their joint accuracy was 92%, even when human experimenters were absent from the room. When they were prevented from using the graphic system (by deactivation of their keyboards), joint accuracy dropped to 10%, even though the animals could still see and hear one another and could gesture or vocalize freely. The acquisition of tool names revealed that words are at first closely and concretely linked to function, and hence that the traditional object-naming paradigm alone is a comparatively difficult starting point for the chimpanzee.This work has demonstrated that two chimpanzees have been able to comprehend the symbolic and communicative function of the symbols they use. The results raise questions concerning chimpanzee research employing other kinds of symbolic communication systems. Apparently there is little evidence, apart from anecdote or uncontrolled tests, demonstrating that either Washoe or Sarah (chimps in other investigator's projects) has fully comprehended the symbolic nature and the communicative potential of their respective gestural and graphic token symbol systems.