Newsgroups: comp.ai.neural-nets
From: Leon@lfheller.demon.co.uk (Leon Heller)
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!das-news2.harvard.edu!news2.near.net!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!pipex!demon!lfheller.demon.co.uk!Leon
Subject: Re: Mental Models and Neural Nets
References: <39oh54$1c1u@ns1.CC.Lehigh.EDU>
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Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 20:14:52 +0000
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In article <39oh54$1c1u@ns1.CC.Lehigh.EDU>
           nft0@ns1.CC.Lehigh.EDU "NEIL F. TOPORSKI" writes:

> Hi.  I am presently formulating my doctoral dissertation.  It is based on the
> premise that users construct mental models of interfaces when using
> computer applications, there are fundamental "guiding" properties of
> interfaces that are essential regardless of interface (text, GUI, virtual...),
> and when these essential components are missing or inadequate, an
> inadequate mental model is constructed - that is, the mental model is
> incomplete.
> 
> Does anyone out there know how neural nets may be used to "measure" or
> "quantify" or "identify" cognitive structure?  Are there any ACCEPTED
> methodologies or computer programs that provide the measurements I am looking
> for?  Let me know at INTERNET: NFT0@LEHIGH.EDU.  Thanks.

I have always thought that multidimensional scaling (MDS) techniques might
be useful in investigating cognitive structures. Some work along these
lines has been reported, and I could dig out the references if you
are interested. I would be interested also if anyone has used NNs in
connection with this.

Leon
---
Leon Heller                       | "Do not adjust your mind, there is
G1HSM                             |  a fault in reality": on a wall
Email: leon@lfheller.demon.co.uk  |  many years ago in Oxford.
Phone: +44 (01734) 266679         |
