Charles Lenay
Compiegne Technology University, Technology and Human Sciences, Department Member
Should social interactions be explained by individual cognitive capacities?-or conversely, can these capacities be explained by social interactions? In order to answer this question we adopt a pragmatic perspective for which the cognitive... more
Should social interactions be explained by individual cognitive capacities?-or conversely, can these capacities be explained by social interactions? In order to answer this question we adopt a pragmatic perspective for which the cognitive activity cannot be understood as detached from the social milieu, which precedes the relations which it makes possible. In addition, if one takes the view that inter-individual interactions participate in the constitution of phenomena of social cognition, one must provide explanatory schemes making it possible to account for abilities such as the recognition of other subjects, the perception of their intentions or the imitation of their facial expressions, rather than presupposing them as given from the start. We contribute here to the search for such schemes by proposing a minimalist experimental paradigm in which one can observe the genesis or the functioning of such abilities. These observational situations, which are extremely simple, should then enable a precise discussion of the mechanisms at work by proposing a way of disentangling what explains what in the relation between individual abilities and social dynamics. In the framework of an enactive approach we will then be able to demonstrate the role of the body-object in the collective organisation of interactions and in the reconfiguration of individual structures.
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Work aimed at studying social cognition in an interactionist perspective often encounters substantial theoretical and methodological difficulties: identifying the significant behavioral variables; recording them without disturbing the... more
Work aimed at studying social cognition in an interactionist perspective often encounters substantial theoretical and methodological difficulties: identifying the significant behavioral variables; recording them without disturbing the interaction; and distinguishing between: (a) the necessary and sufficient contributions of each individual partner for a collective dynamics to emerge; (b) features which derive from this collective dynamics and escape from the control of the individual partners; and (c) the phenomena arising from this collective dynamics which are subsequently appropriated and used by the partners. We propose a minimalist experimental paradigm as a basis for this conceptual discussion: by reducing the sensory inputs to a strict minimum, we force a spatial and temporal deployment of the perceptual activities, which makes it possible to obtain a complete recording and control of the dynamics of interaction. After presenting the principles of this minimalist approach to perception, we describe a series of experiments on two major questions in social cognition: recognizing the presence of another intentional subject; and phenomena of imitation. In both cases, we propose explanatory schema which render an interactionist approach to social cognition clear and explicit. Starting from our earlier work on perceptual crossing we present a new experiment on the mechanisms of reciprocal recognition of the perceptual intentionality of the other subject: the emergent collective dynamics of the perceptual crossing can be appropriated by each subject. We then present an experimental study of opaque imitation (when the subjects cannot see what they themselves are doing). This study makes it possible to characterize what a properly interactionist approach to imitation might be. In conclusion, we draw on these results, to show how an interactionist approach can contribute to a fully social approach to social cognition.
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Within the alternate framework of enactive theories of perception our experimental study makes it possible to understand the recognition of another intentional subject as a characteristic pattern in the sensorimotor dynamics of the... more
Within the alternate framework of enactive theories of perception our experimental study makes it possible to understand the recognition of another intentional subject as a characteristic pattern in the sensorimotor dynamics of the perception. These dynamics are essentially conjoint, the situation of mutual perception forming an attractor which has no spatial stability. Thus, while maintaining their presence, the other’s glance resists spatial localization. I perceive another intentional subject not thanks to determined patterns of movements, but rather directly as a perceptive activity; as something that has the power to affect my own perceptual activity. In this elementary form of interaction, we see that the collective dynamics constrain the perceptive
activities directly, without having to pass through a preliminary sharing of a common perceptual content.
activities directly, without having to pass through a preliminary sharing of a common perceptual content.
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For several years, we have been developing a system of perceptual supplementation (Tactos) so as to render spatialized digital information accessible to users with visual deficiencies. After having validated this device in experimental... more
For several years, we have been developing a system of perceptual supplementation (Tactos) so as to render spatialized digital information accessible to users with visual deficiencies. After having validated this device in experimental situations and in practical use, we now propose to connect several Tactos systems in a network, so as to allow for access to shared digital spaces via the tactile modality (Intertact). This opening up of previously individual use to collective use makes it possible to conceive digital spaces designed for tactile interaction, by proposing practical, pedagogical and gaming functionalities. This new possibility of tactile interaction opens the way to the production of a technical aid for visually impaired persons with a social dimension. At the same time, the design of shared tactile spaces goes together with a fundamental reflection concerning perceptual interactions. We therefore propose an experimental study in order to provide the necessary steps to characterize the processes of mutual engagement in the interactions. The first results suggest that these processes seem to constitute a mutual dynamics, which is the basis for an active co-construction of meaning.
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To study the dynamics of on-line tactile interactions, we developed an original experimental device. It was conceived starting from sensory substitution systems that we develop for blind people. It allows an analysis of reciprocal... more
To study the dynamics of on-line tactile interactions, we developed an original experimental device. It was conceived starting from sensory substitution systems that we develop for blind people. It allows an analysis of reciprocal perception (caresses) and of mutual recognition of the people in interaction. These observations show that it is possible to recognize the image which we present to others (our face) through the way in which they perceive us. Author Keywords Tactile interaction, Blind people, Mutual gaze, Sensory substitution systems.
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Depuis plusieurs années, nous élaborons un système de suppléance perceptive (Tactos) de façon à rendre accessible l'information numérique spatialisée aux utilisateurs déficients visuels. Après avoir validé ce dispositif via des... more
Depuis plusieurs années, nous élaborons un système de suppléance perceptive (Tactos) de façon à rendre accessible l'information numérique spatialisée aux utilisateurs déficients visuels. Après avoir validé ce dispositif via des situations expérimentales et des observations in situ, nous proposons de connecter plusieurs systèmes Tactos en réseau, de façon à permettre l'accès à des espaces numériques partagés via la modalité tactile (Intertact). Cette ouverture d'un usage individuel à un usage collectif permet la conception d'espaces numériques dédiés à l'interaction tactile, en proposant des fonctionnalités pratiques, pédagogiques et ludiques. Cette possibilité d’interaction tactile ouvre la voie à l’élaboration d’un dispositif technique et social d’aide aux personnes déficientes visuelles. Par ailleurs, l'élaboration d’espaces tactiles partagés va de pair avec une réflexion fondamentale sur les interactions perceptives. Nous proposons donc une étude expérimen...
One of the major challenges faced by explanations of imitation is the “correspondence problem”: how is an agent able to match its bodily expression to the observed bodily expression of another agent, especially when there is no... more
One of the major challenges faced by explanations of imitation is the “correspondence problem”: how is an agent able to match its bodily expression to the observed bodily expression of another agent, especially when there is no possibility of external self-observation? Current theories only consider the possibility of an innate or acquired matching mechanism belonging to an isolated individual. In this paper we evaluate an alternative that situates the explanation of imitation in the inter-individual dynamics of the interaction process itself. We implemented a minimal model of two interacting agents based on a recent psychological study of imitative behavior during minimalist perceptual crossing. The agents cannot sense the configuration of their own body, and do not have access to other’s body configuration, either. And yet surprisingly they are still capable of converging on matching bodily configurations. Analysis revealed that the agents solved this version of the correspondence problem in terms of collective properties of the interaction process. Contrary to the assumption that such properties merely serve as external input or scaffolding for individual mechanisms, it was found that the behavioral dynamics were distributed across the model as a whole.
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The aim of this chapter is to highlight the main phenomenological features of lived space, that is, space as it is experienced by the subject through various intentional modes, first of all perception, but also non perceptual modes, such... more
The aim of this chapter is to highlight the main phenomenological features of lived space, that is, space as it is experienced by the subject through various intentional modes, first of all perception, but also non perceptual modes, such as trying to remember where something is or how a room is arranged, or thinking about the way to go from A to B (itinerary planning). A general overview of the most important phenomenological accounts made in the literature is proposed, with a focus on the following topics: the relation between bodily skills, and more generally motricity (i.e. the capacity to move), and lived space; the impact of one’s body materiality on one’s experience of space: how possessing a physical body with material properties such as impenetrability and heaviness affects one’s experience of space; the role of the anticipation of possibilities in the enacting and organization of lived space; the role of sociality and the impact of one’s body ‘visibility’, i.e. the fact that one can be perceived by others, in one’s experience of space. The objective of this overview in the context of this book is to get a better understanding of the experience of space in visually impaired people. Based on this phenomenological account, this chapter will, as a result, offer a series of reflections about the peculiarities of the space blind people live in.
Research Interests: Spatial cognition, Space and Place, Embodiment, Blindness, Phenomenology, and 17 moreLanguage, Space and Place, Visual perception, Perception-Action, Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Phenomenology of the body, Space and Time (Philosophy), Visual Impairments, Phenomenology of the Body (Philosophy), Phenomenology of Space and Place, Immersion and Experience, Spatial Cognition (Psychology), Virtual Space, Counterfactuals, Conceivability & Possibility, Visually Impaired, and Language and Space
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Communication présentée au séminaire interdisciplinaire Philosophie, Technologie, Cognition (Phiteco 2015), « Espaces et techniques : configurations, reconfigurations », 19-23 janvier 2015, Université de Technologie de Compiègne. Plan :... more
Communication présentée au séminaire interdisciplinaire Philosophie, Technologie, Cognition (Phiteco 2015), « Espaces et techniques : configurations, reconfigurations », 19-23 janvier 2015, Université de Technologie de Compiègne.
Plan :
I. Pourquoi (et comment) poser la question « qu’est-ce que l’espace ? »
II. Les trois grandes conceptions philosophiques de l’espace : réalisme, conceptualisme, nominalisme
III. L’espace au singulier, l’espace au pluriel
IV. La distance et le possible
V. Qu’est ce « possible » que nous pré-voyons lorsque nous voyons l’espace ?
Plan :
I. Pourquoi (et comment) poser la question « qu’est-ce que l’espace ? »
II. Les trois grandes conceptions philosophiques de l’espace : réalisme, conceptualisme, nominalisme
III. L’espace au singulier, l’espace au pluriel
IV. La distance et le possible
V. Qu’est ce « possible » que nous pré-voyons lorsque nous voyons l’espace ?
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In this paper, we address the issue of the role of possibilities in perception. First we briefly explain, from a phenomenological standpoint, in what sense possibilities can be said to play a role in perceptual awareness. Then we discuss... more
In this paper, we address the issue of the role of possibilities in perception. First we briefly explain, from a phenomenological standpoint, in what sense possibilities can be said to play a role in perceptual awareness. Then we discuss some propositions that are currently made to account for perceptual possibilities in a third person perspective, that is to say: propositions to naturalize intentional access to possibilities.
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Cet article propose une réflexion critique ainsi qu’une série d’hypothèses pour expliquer l’échec, aussi bien social que commercial, des dispositifs dits de substitution sensorielle auprès de la population des non-voyants, à laquelle ils... more
Cet article propose une réflexion critique ainsi qu’une série d’hypothèses pour expliquer l’échec, aussi bien social que commercial, des dispositifs dits de substitution sensorielle auprès de la population des non-voyants, à laquelle ils étaient à l’origine destinés. Notre principale piste consiste à considérer que les dispositifs prothétiques en question, parce qu’ils sont incapables par eux-mêmes de donner accès à des perceptions valorisées sur un plan émotionnel, déc¸oivent foncièrement l’individu non-voyant, dont la première attente est en général un progrès qualitatif de l’expérience vécue (accéder enfin au « monde des voyants »). Pour expliquer ce constat, nous défendons que les valeurs émotionnelles associées à notre expérience perceptive du réel sont des constructions sociales et que le monde visuel est d’abord vécu comme un monde partagé. Les significations et valeurs émotionnelles attachées aux choses sont construites dans cet univers commun et sont en ce sens liées à l’existence d’une histoire et d’une mémoire collective. Pour tenter de faire progresser nos connaissances sur ces questions, nous avons lancé un programme de recherche expérimentale dont nous présentons ici un aperçu général.
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Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Tactile Perception, Humans, Movement, and 16 moreTouch, Low vision, Female, Male, Visual Impairment, Feedback, Computer User Interface Design, Sensory Substitution, Visual Feedback, Adult, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Fingers, Task Performance and Analysis, Electrical And Electronic Engineering, and Psychomotor Performance
The aim of this experimental research was to evidence that perceptual organization mechanisms in humans can not be tied to, and strictly determined by, the nature of the end organs which are stimulated in the situation. Rather perception... more
The aim of this experimental research was to evidence that perceptual organization mechanisms in humans can not be tied to, and strictly determined by, the nature of the end organs which are stimulated in the situation. Rather perception is mainly linked to the dynamical laws between actions and sensations and their properties. Inspired by the pioneering works of Bach y Rita on sensory substitution processes, 30 subjects had to perceive 2D non significant figures (9 presented twice in different orders) by means of a minimalist coupling device called Tactos. The standard device is made by 3 main connected components: a graphic tablet (Wacom Intuos2) with stylus, a computer with a dedicated software, and a tactile stimulator (electronic Braille cells). When one moves the stylus on the graphical tablet area, it commands the displacement of the cursor on the computer screen (exactly as the usual mouse does it). Each time the cursor (a square of 2x2 pixel in the present experiment) hovers over a figure (black pixel), the subject is informed of the contact with it by a tactile stimulation on the free hand by means of the pins of Braille cells. In this experiment, we used static, non, or all stimuli— not just tactile but also visual or auditory when the subjects contact the figure. In these extreme conditions of relation between subjects and forms, we hypothesized that perceptual responses and strategies are similar across the 3 feedback conditions. The results will be presented and discussed.
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Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, soutenue le 20/12/2002 à Compiègne, devant un jury composé de : - Jean Gayon (Paris 1) - rapporteur - Paul Bach Y Rita (Univ Wisconsin) - examinateur - Kevin O’Regan (CNRS) - examinateur - Jacques... more
Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, soutenue le 20/12/2002 à Compiègne, devant un jury composé de :
- Jean Gayon (Paris 1) - rapporteur
- Paul Bach Y Rita (Univ Wisconsin) - examinateur
- Kevin O’Regan (CNRS) - examinateur
- Jacques Theureau (CNRS) - rapporteur
- Pierre Villon (UTC) - examinateur
- Bernard Stiegler (IRCAM) - examinateur
- Jean Michel Salanskis (Paris-Nanterre) – rapporteur et président
- Jean Gayon (Paris 1) - rapporteur
- Paul Bach Y Rita (Univ Wisconsin) - examinateur
- Kevin O’Regan (CNRS) - examinateur
- Jacques Theureau (CNRS) - rapporteur
- Pierre Villon (UTC) - examinateur
- Bernard Stiegler (IRCAM) - examinateur
- Jean Michel Salanskis (Paris-Nanterre) – rapporteur et président
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The question of how perceived structures may unveil cognitive structures – how perception may mould reasoning ? – finds an outstanding field of investigation and exemplification in the study of the spatial features of language... more
The question of how perceived structures may unveil cognitive structures – how perception may mould reasoning ? – finds an outstanding field of investigation and exemplification in the study of the spatial features of language inscription, which, in cases such as lists or tables, cannot be reduced to mere mnemonic processes but indeed lead to the genuine generation of new contents (Cf. J. Goody).
The difficulties for empirical enquiries are bypassed through the edification of visuo-tactile substitution devices similar to those designed for blind people. Indeed, such devices make it possible to unveil the perceptive activity through a strict control of sensorial inputs and of exploratory actions together with a kind of externalization of cognitive activities in their interactions with spatial architectural features: among visually-impaired, the identification, localization and comprehension of “forms” such as characters, formulas, tables with figures or cross-words directly rely upon such an exploratory activity, - a perceptual activity revealing indeed the different cognitive processes and strategies under play.
The difficulties for empirical enquiries are bypassed through the edification of visuo-tactile substitution devices similar to those designed for blind people. Indeed, such devices make it possible to unveil the perceptive activity through a strict control of sensorial inputs and of exploratory actions together with a kind of externalization of cognitive activities in their interactions with spatial architectural features: among visually-impaired, the identification, localization and comprehension of “forms” such as characters, formulas, tables with figures or cross-words directly rely upon such an exploratory activity, - a perceptual activity revealing indeed the different cognitive processes and strategies under play.
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Résumé A l'aide d'un dispositif technique original de suppléance perceptive, nous nous proposons d'étudier de façon expérimentale une forme de proprioception prothétisée . En effet,... more
Résumé A l'aide d'un dispositif technique original de suppléance perceptive, nous nous proposons d'étudier de façon expérimentale une forme de proprioception prothétisée . En effet, les prothèses qui transforment l'activité perceptive (substitution sensorielle, téléprésence, réalité ...
Sylvain Hanneton 1 , Charles Lenay 1 , Olivier Gapenne 1 , ... Sébastien Vermandel 2 et Catherine Marque 2 ... 1 COSTECH, Département Technologie et Sciences de l'Homme, 2 BIM, Département Génie Biomédical, Université de Technologie... more
Sylvain Hanneton 1 , Charles Lenay 1 , Olivier Gapenne 1 , ... Sébastien Vermandel 2 et Catherine Marque 2 ... 1 COSTECH, Département Technologie et Sciences de l'Homme, 2 BIM, Département Génie Biomédical, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, BP 60.649, 60206 ...
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Paul Bach Y Rita [1] is the precursor of sensory substitutions. He started thirty years ago using visuo-tactile prostheses with the intent of satisfying blind people. These prostheses, called Tactile Vision Substitution Systems (TVSS),... more
Paul Bach Y Rita [1] is the precursor of sensory substitutions. He started thirty years ago using visuo-tactile prostheses with the intent of satisfying blind people. These prostheses, called Tactile Vision Substitution Systems (TVSS), transform a sensory input from a given modality ...
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Computer software is more and more developed based on graphic-user-interface system (GUI) in order to be user-friendly program. However, this development creates some difficulties for people with impaired vision to use the computers. The... more
Computer software is more and more developed based on graphic-user-interface system (GUI) in order to be user-friendly program. However, this development creates some difficulties for people with impaired vision to use the computers. The "Braille Box", an assistive device, has been developed by modifying Braille cells to form a tactile stimulator array which is compatible with the fingertip. This device allows people with impaired vision to access graphic information on computer screen by tactile perception. We applied the "Braille Box" in mathematics class focused on linear graph, with visually impaired children. The result shows that they can perform task as determining the slope, the intercept and the coordinates of the intersection of two lines.
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In general, application of the parallelism concept enables information to be accessed more precisely and easily when the number of sensors is high. We have developed a "Braille Box" by modifying Braille cells to... more
In general, application of the parallelism concept enables information to be accessed more precisely and easily when the number of sensors is high. We have developed a "Braille Box" by modifying Braille cells to form a tactile stimulator array which is compatible with a fingertip. Each pin can be controlled independently so that we can change the size and type
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Studies using the sensory substitution devices reveal that perceptive activity itself is embodied in a living body capable of movement and possessing its own spatial dimensions. To study the conditions of a prosthetic perception, we... more
Studies using the sensory substitution devices reveal that perceptive activity itself is embodied in a living body capable of movement and possessing its own spatial dimensions. To study the conditions of a prosthetic perception, we developed a minimal device, Tactos, which carries out a coupling between the pen of a graphics tablet and tactile sensory stimulators. This system allows subjects
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This digital version of my thesis (in French) contains various errors due to the OCR. I tried to meet as much as
possible pagination and formatting of the original. I also inserted the thesis statement at the end of the second volume.
possible pagination and formatting of the original. I also inserted the thesis statement at the end of the second volume.