Table 1.
Sketches of Computational-Level Analyses of Explananda Involving Compositionality in Different Domains of Psychological Science
| Psychological domain | Example explanandum (compositionality) | Computational-level theory (sketch) f | Example explananda from other subdomains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive | The capacity to assign a compositional meaning to a linguistic expression |
Input: Complex linguistic expression u1, . . ., un, with elementary parts ui
Output: Meaning of input μ(u1, . . ., un), such that μ(u1, . . ., un) = c(μ(u1), . . ., μ(un)), where c is a composition operation |
The capacity to recognize complex perceptual objects with parts (binding problem) |
| Development | The capacity to develop comprehension and production skills for a compositional language |
Input: Basic sensorimotor and cognitive capacities (e.g., memory, precursors of theory of mind), a linguistic environment Output: A cognitive capacity fc for processing compositional language |
The capacity to develop, e.g., fine motor control, abstract arithmetic and geometric skills, etc. |
| Learning | The capacity to learn a (second or additional) compositional language |
Input: Basic sensorimotor and cognitive capacities; a linguistic environment; a cognitive capacity fc for compositional language understanding and production Output: A new cognitive capacity fc′ that is also compositional |
The capacity to learn a new motor skill related to one already mastered, e.g., from ice skating to skiing (skill transfer) |
| Biological evolution | The capacity to evolve comprehension and production skills for a compositional language |
Input: A capacity for assigning natural or conventional meanings to signals Output: A cognitive capacity fc for compositional language use |
The capacity to evolve, e.g., fine motor control, spatial representation, navigation, etc. |
| Social interaction; cultural evolution | The capacity of groups and populations to jointly create new compositional communication codes |
Input: An arbitrary assignment of meanings to strings Output: A compositional assignment of meanings to strings |
The capacity of groups or populations to jointly create structured norms and rituals (“culture”); division of labor |