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Distinguishing literal from metaphorical applications of Bayesian approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2011

Timothy T. Rogers  and
Mark S. Seidenberg
Timothy T. Rogers
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53726. ttrogers@wisc.eduhttp://concepts.psych.wisc.eduseidenberg@wisc.eduhttp://lcnl.wisc.edu
Mark S. Seidenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53726. ttrogers@wisc.eduhttp://concepts.psych.wisc.eduseidenberg@wisc.eduhttp://lcnl.wisc.edu
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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
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 34 , Issue 4 , August 2011 , pp. 211 - 212
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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