'The time-scales of language dynamics in systemic thinking'
The workshop is the fifth Distributed Thinking Symposium. Like its predecessors it brings together 
researchers from artificial intelligence, psychology, and the language sciences to discuss themes 
of general interest. While its general aim is to be an interdisciplinary forum, it focusing on the 
how people integrate the various time-scales of language and thinking also has discipline specific 
implications.Recent developments in psychology and the language sciences show that language goes 
beyond the raw linguistic content identified with sentences or discourse (see e.g., Sperber & 
Wilson, 1995; Love, 2004). This departs from the traditional code-like view of language that 
traces understanding to decoding determinate forms. Rather, language is viewed as a dynamic 
process that, while centred on human interaction also exploits historically derived resources 
(Cowley, 2011). Interaction and problem solving are thus understood, not in relation to normative 
models, but as sense-saturated, regulatory human activity (Vallée-Tourangeau, Euden, & Hearn, 
2011; Steffensen, in press). This results in systemic thinking and action whose dynamics play out 
in (at least) evolutionary, cultural and developmental time-scales. Cognition and language are 
thus local or situated and yet dependent on non-local processes or grammatical, cultural, and 
historical resources that, while not present, are essential for communication and thinking 
(Thibault, 2011). To conceptualize and operationalize systemic cognition in psychology, the 
language sciences, and artificial intelligence, there is a need to develop a clear view of how 
time-scales, dynamics, and local/non-local influences impact on human interactive communication.
 
Consequently, the workshop explores interdisciplinary research pertaining to time, language 
dynamics and systemic thinking as influential factors in cognition, languaging, and human-computer 
interaction. 

New important dates for the workshop

Abstract Submission: 24th of December 2012
Notification of Decision: As soon as possible after the deadline
Registration: 15th of January 2013
Workshop: 30th-31st of January 2013
 

The AISB Workshop Series
The AISB is sponsoring a series of workshops which are being held across the United Kingdom, 
covering a wide range of themes pertinent to the aims of the society. The first workshop, which 
was held on 26th September 2012 at Goldsmith's College London, explored the theme of Sensory Motor 
Theory. The events are abstract-only and free for AISB members. Current non-members are welcome to 
attend for the cost of AISB membership, which applies to both speakers and attendees.
If you are interested in more information on the series please contact the workshop organisers at
workshops@aisb.org.uk
 

Registration
There are only a very limited number of places available at the workshop and places will be given 
on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees should register for the workshop by emailing 
overmuren@gmail.com with their full name, affiliation, position, email address and AISB membership 
number (if applicable). 
 

Abstracts are requested for speakers wishing to present at the workshop. Abstracts should be 
between 200 and 300 words (excluding references). Abstracts will be reviewed by the workshop 
organisers and assessed based on quality and relevance to the workshop. The presentation title 
and abstract should be submitted to the workshop organisers at overmuren@gmail.com by Monday 
24th of December 2012.
 

Please note, that attendance require an AISB membership http://www.aisb.org.uk/about/join. 
For students, the first year's membership is free.
 

Sponsored by
The Society for Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
http://www.aisb.org.uk/
 

Supported by
Kingston Distributed Cognition Group
https://sites.google.com/site/dcognition/