1 / 9

Simplicity Theory

Simplicity Theory. Simplicity theory is a cognitive theory. J.-L. Dessalles. Simplicity is known to play a role in cognition. For instance, the brain reconstructs hidden shapes by computing the simplest contours in the current context.

sage
Download Presentation

Simplicity Theory

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Simplicity Theory Simplicity theoryis a cognitive theory J.-L. Dessalles Simplicity is known to play a role in cognition. For instance, the brain reconstructs hidden shapes by computing the simplest contours in the current context. Situations that are perceived as abnormally simple are exactly those that raise our interest and arouse our emotions. Simplicity controls high-level aspects of cognition as well. Interest Interest Emotional intensity Emotional intensity www.simplicitytheory.org

  2. Simplicity Theory blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 16  blah Complexity has been defined half a century agoas the size of the most concise description. Simplicity theoryrelies on the notion of complexity. • Complexity: • Size of the minimal available description • Simplicity Theory: • Complexity drop Simplicity theory is not about complexity, but complexity drop www.simplicitytheory.org

  3. Simplicity Theory Expectedcomplexity Observedcomplexity ST defines Unexpectedness as the difference between expected complexity and observed complexity. Complexity drop U = Cexp– Cobs Unexpectedness Unexpectednessis what controlsinterest andemotional intensity. Interest Interest Emotional intensity Emotional intensity www.simplicitytheory.org

  4. Simplicity Theory Expectedcomplexity Observedcomplexity 1 12 17 2 3 24 4 32 39 5 6 40 Complexity drop U = Cexp– Cobs Unexpectedness If it turns out to be simple, for instance 1-2-3-4-5-6,interest is aroused. For instance, a lottery draw is expected to be complex. Lottery draw: www.simplicitytheory.org

  5. Simplicity Theory Interest, emotions andunexpectedness seem todepend on a variety of factors. U = Cexp– Cobs • Coincidences • Recency • Proximity • Rarity • Extremes • Anomalies Abnormalsimplicity Interest Interest Emotional intensity Emotional intensity However,all these factorsturn out to generatecomplexity drop. www.simplicitytheory.org

  6. Simplicity Theory ST’s analysis of unexpectedness as complexity dropleads to a variety of predictions. U = Cexp– Cobs Complex, analogous events • Coincidences • Recency • Proximity • Rarity • Extremes • Anomalies Abnormalsimplicity Logarithmic decrease with time Logarithmic decrease with distance predictions Simple feature Simple feature www.simplicitytheory.org Simple feature

  7. Simplicity Theory These predictions are formal and quantitative. U = Cexp– Cobs U = C(s1) C (s2|s1) • Coincidences • Recency • Proximity • Rarity • Extremes • Anomalies Abnormalsimplicity U = log(T / t) U = 2 log(R / d) L = argmin(C(L)+2log(dL)) predictions U=log N – log P – C(f) U= A(k) – C(f) U=C(H) – C(f) www.simplicitytheory.org

  8. Simplicity Theory U = Cexp– Cobs p = 2 –U Simplicity Theory’s most spectacular result is a new definition of ex post probability. www.simplicitytheory.org

  9. Simplicity Theory U = Cexp– Cobs www.simplicitytheory.org www.simplicitytheory.org Visit Simplicity Theory website for more. www.simplicitytheory.org

More Related