Cited by 1,082Embodied and Extended CognitionMotor Control and AdaptationAction Observation and Synchronization

Deictic codes for the embodiment of cognition

Ballard, Dana H., Hayhoe, Mary M., Pook, Polly K., Rao, Rajesh P. N.·1997·Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Abstract

To describe phenomena that occur at different time scales, computational models of the brain must incorporate different levels of abstraction. At time scales of approximately 1/3 of a second, orienting movements of the body play a crucial role in cognition and form a useful computational level – more abstract than that used to capture natural phenomena but less abstract than what is traditionally used to study high-level cognitive processes such as reasoning. At this “embodiment level,” the constraints of the physical system determine the nature of cognitive operations. The key synergy is that at time scales of about 1/3 of a second, the natural sequentiality of body movements can be matched to the natural computational economies of sequential decision systems through a system of implicit reference called deictic in which pointing movements are used to bind objects in the world to cognitive programs. This target article focuses on how deictic bindings make it possible to perform natural tasks. Deictic computation provides a mechanism for representing the essential features that link external sensory data with internal cognitive programs and motor actions. One of the central features of cognition, working memory, can be related to moment-by-moment dispositions of body features such as eye movements and hand movements.

Integrity signals

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0140525x97001611

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184 of 184 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Not all decisions to offload cognitive processes follow cost-benefit considerations but may also be influenced by the current goals of the observers as well as their tendency to avoid demanding cognitive actions.

    “However, not all decisions to offload cognitive processes follow cost–benefit considerations of different strategies but may also be influenced by the current goals of the observers (Weis & Wiese, 2019) as well as their tendency to avoid demanding cognitive actions (Ballard et al., 1997; Kool et al., 2010; Sachdeva & Gilbert, 2020).”

    From Consequences of cognitive offloading: Boosting performance but diminishing memory (2021) · cites this paper as Ballard et al., 1997

  • The coupling of vision and action must be fast enough to keep up with events in the world.

    “The coupling of vision and action must be fast enough to keep up with events in the world (30).”

    From Fusion of visual cues is not mandatory in children (2010) · cites this paper as [30]

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Authors
Ballard, D. H., Hayhoe, M. M., Pook, P. K., & Rao, R. P. N.
Affiliations
University of Rochester (US)
Venue
Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Published
1997-12
Volume
20
Issue
4
Pages
723-742
ISSN
  • 0140-525X (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-1825
OpenAlex
W2064229486
Cited by
1,082
References
184
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 42 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 45
FWCI
13.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Behavioral and Brain Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UR Research (University of Rochester) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Eye Institute (EY05729)
  • National Center for Research Resources (1-P41-RR09283-1, P41RR009283)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords
implicit references, pointing movements, working memory, eye movements, hand movement, sensorimotor integration, cognitive modeling
MeSH terms
Brain, Cognition, Eye Movements, Humans, Language, Memory, Psychomotor Performance

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