Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T16:54:50.676Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

In defense of learning by selection: Neurobiological and behavioral evidence revisited

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

G. Dehaene-Lambertz
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique, 75270 Paris cedex 06, [email protected]
Stanislas Dehaene
Affiliation:
INSERM U334, CHFJ CEA, 91401 Orsay, [email protected]

Abstract

Quartz & Sejnowski's (Q&S's) constructivist manifesto promotes a return to an extreme form of empiricism. In defense of learning by selection, we argue that at the neurobiological level all the data presented by Q&S in support of their constructive model are in fact compatible with a model comprising multiple overlapping stages of synaptic overproduction and selection. We briefly review developmental studies at the behavioral level in humans providing evidence in favor of a selectionist view of development.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)