中華心理學刊 民 90，43 卷，1 期，11-21
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2001, Vol.43, No.1, 11-21

Chang Hong Liu（Department of' Psychology, McGill University）

Abstract

How do concepts get into our heads? Empiricists and Nativists provide a variety of answers. However, these answers are often flawed. While the Empiricists fail to specify the mechanisms of concept acquisition, the Nativists fail to specify the mechanisms of concept triggering. Some crucial premises embraced by both Empiricists and Nativists are challenged by the development of connectionist theories. The validity of these premises are analyzed and the implications of Connectionist and Gibsonian approaches to concept acquisition are discussed.

Keywords: Concept acquisition, Nativism, Empiricism