Application of Generalized Quantum Formalisms in Cognitive Science and Humor Research

Event Date:
2021-05-13T16:00:00
2021-05-13T17:00:00
Event Location:
Connect via zoom
Speaker:
Liane Gabora (UBC Okanagan)
Related Upcoming Events:
Intended Audience:
Undergraduate
Local Contact:

Douglas Scott

Event Information:

Many branches of mathematics were first used to describe some aspect of the physical world, and later applied more broadly in other fields. It is in this spirit that the field of quantum cognition draws upon the formalisms of quantum mechanics. Quantum cognition does not posit that phenomena at the quantum level affect the brain; rather, it uses abstract formal structures that, as it happens, found their first application in quantum mechanics. The approach enables us to explain findings in several areas of psychology—including decision making and concept combination—that are otherwise difficult to account for. More generally, it suggests a new approach to understanding and modeling psychological phenomena that involve ambiguity and/or contextuality. After briefly reviewing the rationale for quantum cognition, and summarizing some notable applications, we will focus on its application to humor. Humor often involves the ‘bisociation’ of incongruous interpretations of an ambiguous situation or word. In jokes, a first interpretation (which is often tendentious, or lewd) is suggested by the set-up, while a second (often more innocent) interpretation is suggested by the punchline. Using a verbal pun as an example we will see how these interpretations can be modeled as a linear superposition of a set of basis states in a complex Hilbert space. We will look at a study involving 85 participant responses to 35 jokes (as well as variants) that investigated whether humor involves violation of the Law of Total Probability. The results suggest that quantum cognition may provide a viable new approach to modeling humor.

Add to Calendar 2021-05-13T16:00:00 2021-05-13T17:00:00 Application of Generalized Quantum Formalisms in Cognitive Science and Humor Research Event Information: Many branches of mathematics were first used to describe some aspect of the physical world, and later applied more broadly in other fields. It is in this spirit that the field of quantum cognition draws upon the formalisms of quantum mechanics. Quantum cognition does not posit that phenomena at the quantum level affect the brain; rather, it uses abstract formal structures that, as it happens, found their first application in quantum mechanics. The approach enables us to explain findings in several areas of psychology—including decision making and concept combination—that are otherwise difficult to account for. More generally, it suggests a new approach to understanding and modeling psychological phenomena that involve ambiguity and/or contextuality. After briefly reviewing the rationale for quantum cognition, and summarizing some notable applications, we will focus on its application to humor. Humor often involves the ‘bisociation’ of incongruous interpretations of an ambiguous situation or word. In jokes, a first interpretation (which is often tendentious, or lewd) is suggested by the set-up, while a second (often more innocent) interpretation is suggested by the punchline. Using a verbal pun as an example we will see how these interpretations can be modeled as a linear superposition of a set of basis states in a complex Hilbert space. We will look at a study involving 85 participant responses to 35 jokes (as well as variants) that investigated whether humor involves violation of the Law of Total Probability. The results suggest that quantum cognition may provide a viable new approach to modeling humor. Event Location: Connect via zoom