Piaget's system of spatial logic: The semiosis of index
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Donna E. West
Donna E. West (b. 1955) is associate professor at State University of New York at Cortland 〈westsimon@twcny.rr.com〉. Her research interests include developmental cognitive linguistics, deictics, semiotics, psychological implications of Peirce's model. Her publications include “Deixis as a symbolic phenomenon” (2011); “Elicited imitation to measure morphemic accuracy: Evidence from L2 Spanish” (2012); “Peircean triadicity: Application to deictic use” (2012); and “Indexical reference to absent objects” (2012).
Abstract
Piaget's system of cognitive development is analyzed, namely, the semiosis of indexical representation and use. His notion of scheme is discussed, capitalizing on index as the most primary semiotic tool in early ontogeny; afterward, advances in spatial skills (topological and projective reasoning) are discussed in light of the foundational role of index in unfolding these spatial concepts. Finally, index's primary function in the onset and perpetuation of perspective-taking competencies constitutes the essential thrust. The claim is that index is the most essential component to ascertain advancements in spatial logic, in that it organizes and triggers the coalescence of temporal memories of different perceptual states. These memories, in turn, serve as the foundation for complex spatial cognitions (decentration and reversibility) necessary to understand points of view.
About the author
Donna E. West (b. 1955) is associate professor at State University of New York at Cortland 〈westsimon@twcny.rr.com〉. Her research interests include developmental cognitive linguistics, deictics, semiotics, psychological implications of Peirce's model. Her publications include “Deixis as a symbolic phenomenon” (2011); “Elicited imitation to measure morphemic accuracy: Evidence from L2 Spanish” (2012); “Peircean triadicity: Application to deictic use” (2012); and “Indexical reference to absent objects” (2012).
©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Munich/Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Semiotic degeneracy of social life: Prolegomenon to a human science of semiosis
- Heterosemiosis: Mixing sign systems in graphic narrative texts
- Do speakers really unconsciously and imagistically gesture about what is important when they are telling a story?
- On the institutional aspect of institutionalized and institutionalizing semiotics
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- Review article
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