Research

Research themes (Preamble to the "milkshake metaphor" below)

Major theme: How nonlinear dynamics of movement systems support the use of code-like, symbolic information such as language and genetics.

Psychologists have long explained perception and action in terms of internal mental models that represent incoming sensory information in equally symbolic terms (e.g., Simon, 1969; Newell, 1990). My work addresses the complementary point that dynamical processes are crucial for the use, maintenance, and change of these symbolic constraints (Pattee, 1977;2007;2013). Hence, my research pursues the goal to address the other side of this complementary coin that Pattee noted, i.e., that dynamical processes are crucial for the use, maintenance, and change of these symbolic-informational constraints. This program of research centers most recently on the role that specifically nonlinear dynamics of movement-system play for this use, maintenance, and change of symbolic-informational constraints. I conduct this research towards the ultimate goal of understanding how nonlinear dynamics in movement supports the use of symbolic-informational codes in both the human case of language use (in text and in speech) and non-human case of using genetic information to coordinate flocking and swarm behaviors.

Supporting themes

In support of this central theme, my research has benefited from more foundational work examining the role of movement in various more elementary themes

• cognitive change
• spatial-perceptual learning
• anticipation of unpredictable mechanical and visual stimuli
• clinical and biomechanical attempts to redesign constraints so as to foster healthy, effective movement

I also maintain an active interest in

• pedagogical work, both in the research on teaching practice and in the communication of research methodologies that I have (struggled to learn and) helped to develop and popularize.

Research Problem (or "How could a milkshake act like a computer?")

If you dislike milkshakes, click here

My work is an attempt to explore the statistical physics underpinning the coordination of perception, action, and cognition. We have some fairly strong intuitions that this coordination has something to do with the brain. Recent theories of cognition treat the brain as a computer that picks up information, stores it in a hard drive, and puts it out in a motor command or a conscious thought. The theories will vary as to how literal the metaphor is, but they agree that the brain takes raw sense data, filters it down to "what to care about," and converts it into "what to do."

The computer that you're using to read this page runs on a silicon-based microprocessor, metal wiring all soldered into place, and plastic casing. The brain is mostly water, fat, and sugar. So is a milkshake. However, we do not typically consult a tall, cool, chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry on top for its deep thoughts. The question I would like an answer to is: How could a milkshake act like a computer?

Milkshake detractors may kindly click here for greater detail

General Hypothesis (or "it's not the ingredients; it's how they mix.")

Coordination is the emergent property of a complex system. Complex systems are not to be confused with complicated systems. Complexity is a state of interaction-dominance, context-sensitivity, and self-organization. Said without hyphens: The coordination of perception, action, and cognition is not easily solved in terms of specialized modules and central processors. The interactions of many parts across many scales conspire to produce intelligent behaviors depending on the current demands and constraints. Complex-systems theory constitutes a growing approach in the physical and biological sciences that offers new tools for probing these interactions and for predicting the emergence of structure.

My work investigates these interactions in terms of fluctuations in perception, action, and cognition. Fluctuations may seem "noisy" and meaningless at first glance, but on closer inspection, they may also bear an intricate temporal structure crucial for the flow of information through a biological organism. For instance, fluctuations in action during exploratory behaviors can predict changes in perceptual and cognitive performance. The more we understand the kinds of fluctuations that support coordination among perception, action, and cognition, the sooner we may understand what might allow a milkshake to fool us into thinking it is a computer.

Straight talk for people not content with milkshakes

Collaborators: Student or otherwise

Here are some awesome students who have thrived in my research lab and who want to talk about it.

Here is a list of other people I have worked with.

Please feel free to ask me more about these people and their work.

The longer "milkshake" story

Here's some more about what I think and what I do.