Description
Objective: Dive into NLP challenges using Watzlawick’s communication theories.
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– Core Axioms:
– Inescapable Communication
– Content vs. Relationship
– Symmetry vs. Complementarity
– Application: Analyze a bridge-crossing riddle through the lens of these axioms.
– Outcome: Enhance machine understanding by reflecting on human communication subtleties.
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Please refer to the PDF Document with the detailed instructions
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Understanding NLP through
“Pragmatics of Human
Communication”: An Introduction to
Paul Watzlawick’s Theories
Objective:
To explore the challenges and intricacies of Natural Language Processing (NLP) by introducing
and applying concepts from Paul Watzlawick’s “Pragmatics of Human Communication.”
Background:
Paul Watzlawick’s seminal work delves into the axioms and nuances of human communication.
While human-to-human communication is complex, making machines understand and replicate
this complexity is a monumental challenge. This assignment will explore how Watzlawick’s
theories can provide insight into NLP.
Instructions:
1. Research Phase
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Begin by reading a provided excerpt/summary from “Pragmatics of Human
Communication.” Focus on the following three axioms:
1. One Cannot Not Communicate
2. Every Communication has a Content and Relationship Aspect
3. Inter-human Communication Processes are either Symmetrical or
Complementary
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Reflect on how these axioms might relate to the challenges faced in NLP.
2. Application with the Riddle
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Revisit the bridge-crossing riddle, provided in the assignment.
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Analyze the riddle by applying the three axioms. Consider:
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How the man’s actions communicate without words.
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The content vs. relationship aspect of his behavior.
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The nature of the interaction between the man and the guards.
3. NLP Reflection
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Imagine you’re programming an NLP model to understand and generate stories
like the riddle.
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Discuss the challenges the model might face in understanding and interpreting
the subtleties of the story using Watzlawick’s axioms.
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Suggest potential solutions or approaches to improve the NLP model’s
comprehension in light of these axioms.
4. Report Phase
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Compile your understanding of Watzlawick’s theories, your analysis of the riddle,
and your reflections on NLP into a concise report.
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Discuss the broader implications of your findings for the field of NLP.
Evaluation Criteria:
1. Understanding of Watzlawick’s Axioms: How well the student can relate the principles
of “Pragmatics of Human Communication” to the riddle and NLP.
2. Quality of Riddle Analysis: Depth of insights about the riddle using Watzlawick’s axioms.
3. NLP Reflection Quality: Insightfulness of challenges identified in NLP and the proposed
solutions.
4. Overall Report Presentation: Structure, clarity, and coherence of the report.
Conclusion:
This assignment aims to bridge the gap between theories of human communication and the
field of NLP. By understanding the deep-rooted intricacies of how humans communicate, we
can better equip machines to interpret and generate human-like language.
Riddles
Choose one of the Riddles below:
1. The Barber Riddle
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Riddle: In a town, there is a barber who shaves all those, and those only, who do
not shave themselves. Who shaves the barber?
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Discussion Points: This classic logic paradox can be analyzed for its selfreferential nature and how communication often involves assumptions and
patterns that can sometimes lead to paradoxical situations.
2. The Two Doors Riddle
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Riddle: You’re in a room with two doors. One door leads to certain death and the
other door leads to freedom. You don’t know which is which. In the room with
you are two individuals: One always tells the truth and the other always lies. You
can ask one question to one of the individuals. What do you ask?
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Discussion Points: The riddle plays on meta-communication, levels of deception,
and understanding the relationship dynamics between the two individuals.
3. The Man in the Mask Riddle
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Riddle: I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I
come alive with the wind. What am I?
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Discussion Points: This riddle challenges our conventional understanding of
communication mediums. It can be analyzed in the context of how
communication is not always direct and sometimes relies on external factors
(like the wind for an echo).
4. The Boat Riddle
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Riddle: You have a boat and a lantern. You need to help a wolf, a goat, and a
cabbage cross the river. But you can’t leave the wolf alone with the goat or the
goat with the cabbage. How do you get all three across without any harm?
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Discussion Points: This riddle involves problem-solving with constraints, which is
a crucial part of human communication. It can be analyzed for how information
is sequenced and prioritized to achieve a goal.
5. The Fish Riddle
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Riddle: You see a boat filled with people. It has not sunk, but when you look
again you don’t see a single person on the boat. Why?
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Discussion Points: This riddle plays on the ambiguity of the word “single”. It can
be analyzed in terms of how language often has multiple meanings, and context
is crucial for interpretation.
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