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Distinguishing literal from metaphorical applications of Bayesian approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2011

Timothy T. Rogers
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53726. [email protected]://[email protected]://lcnl.wisc.edu
Mark S. Seidenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53726. [email protected]://[email protected]://lcnl.wisc.edu

Abstract

We distinguish between literal and metaphorical applications of Bayesian models. When intended literally, an isomorphism exists between the elements of representation assumed by the rational analysis and the mechanism that implements the computation. Thus, observation of the implementation can externally validate assumptions underlying the rational analysis. In other applications, no such isomorphism exists, so it is not clear how the assumptions that allow a Bayesian model to fit data can be independently validated.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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