On Communication. an Interdisciplinary and Mathematical Approach

ISBN-13: 9781402054631 / Angielski / Twarda / 2007 / 237 str.

Jrgen Klver; Christina Klver; J'Urgen Kl'uver

Opis

This book offers a radical new theoretical approach for the understanding of communication. The theory is operationalized by the application of certain computer programs, namely Soft Computing programs like cellular automata and artificial neural nets. In many examples the authors demonstrate how it is possible to model and analyze communicative processes, such as social combined with cognitive ones.

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"This research monograph offers an innovative and very much unique perspective at communications by bringing forward two important facts of communication theory and practice. ... The material is presented in a coherent way. ... Illustrative material coming in the form of brief simulation schemes is a genuine asset of the monograph. ... All in all, this is a highly welcome contribution stressing the genuine need for new comprehensive and unified view at the discipline of communication." (Witold Pedrycz, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1137 (15), 2008)

Spis treści

Introduction: Communication – problems of a concept and a new methodical approach.- Excursion into complex systems theory.- Meaning and Information: the semantic dimension of communication.- The social dimension of communication.- The cognitive dimension of communication.- The general equations of communicative processes.- Examples: Computer Models as Operationalization.- Epilogue: The Mathematical Conditions of Human Cognition and Communication.

Blurb

This book offers a radical new approach for the understanding of communication. By using the theoretical framework of complex systems theory communication is defined as the interplay of social and cognitive dynamics: communicators are modelled as complex cognitive systems who interact according to social rules and generate communicative systems. Messages generate meaning, which is understood as an attractor in the cognitive system of the receiver. Information is measured via the difference between a factual message and the message expected by the receiver.

These theoretical definitions are operationalized by the application of certain computer programs, namely Soft Computing programs like cellular automata and artificial neural nets. In many examples the authors demonstrate how it is possible to model and analyze communicative processes, i.e. social combined with cognitive ones. The computational models are validated by social experiments that show how communicative complexity can be simulated and in some parts prognosticated. The considerations of the book are finally systematized by general equations of communication.

The book refers to readers of different disciplines like communications science, social sciences, cognitive sciences and computer science. Yet no special knowledge in these sciences and/or mathematics is presupposed. Scholars of these sciences and graduate students should have no principal difficulties with the text.