Information Processing Theory 55 



effect on the behavior of a highly interconnected net. Here is 

 where computer simulations might be used to explore new pos- 

 sibilities. By studying the organizing effects of such additional 

 mechanisms, which are just as easily programmed, we might 

 reinitiate some originality into essentially similar models. 



The fact that psychologists and biologists are beginning to 

 think in terms of processes in addition to stimulus-response associa- 

 tions and equations provides a more obvious link between their 

 work and that of the physiologist. It is the promise of this new 

 link which has revitalized discussions of cross-fertilization resulting 

 in conferences with titles like this one. The value of these new 

 conceptions remains to be seen, but it is probably safe to assume 

 that anything which brings our disciplines closer together can do 

 no harm. 



REFERENCES 



1. Turing, A. M.: On computable numbers, with an application to 



the Entscheindungs-problem. Proc. London Math. Sac, series 2, 42: 

 230-265, 1937. 



2. McCulloch, W. S., and Pitts, W.: A logical calculus of the ideas 



immanent in nervous activity. Bull. Math. Biophysics, 5.- 11 5-1 33, 

 1943. 



3. McCulloch, W. S.: Agathe Tyche, — of nervous nets — the lucky 



reckoners. Proc. Syrnp. on Mechanization of Thought Processes, Ted- 

 dington, England, f959. 



4. McCulloch, W. S.: The reliability of biological systems, in Self- 



Organizing Systems, Interdisciplinary Conference on Self-Organizing 

 Systems, ed. by Yovits, M. C. and Cameron, S., New York, 

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5. von Neumann, J.: Probabilistic logics and the synthesis of relial^le 



organisms from unreliable components, in Automata Studies, Shan- 

 non, C. E. and McCarthy, J., Princeton, Princeton University 

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6. Hebb, D. O.: The Organization of Behavior; a Neuropsychological Theory. 



New York, Wiley & Sons, 1949. 



7. Rochester, N., Holland, J. H., Haibt, L. H., Duda, \V. L.: Tests 



of a cell assembly theory of the action of the brain, using a large 

 digital computer. IRE Trans, on Information Theory, IT-2;80-93, 

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