Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/96031648583Speaker: James A MichaelovAffiliation: Computational Psycholinguistics Laboratory (Roger Levy)Title: What can the fields of psycholinguistics and natural language processing learn from each other?Abstract: While the idea that language comprehension involves prediction has been around since at least the 1960s, advances in natural language processing technology have made it more viable than ever to model this computationally. As language models have increased in size and power, performing better at an ever-wider array of natural language tasks, their predictions also increasingly appear to correlate with the N400, a neural signal of processing difficulty thought to reflect the extent to which a given word is expected based on its preceding context. In fact, the predictions of contemporary large language models can not only be used to model the effects of certain types of stimuli on the amplitude of the N400 response, but can in fact predict single-trial N400 amplitude better than traditional metrics such as cloze probability. With these results in mind, I will discuss how language models can be used to study human language processing, both as a deflationary tool and to support positive claims about the extent to which humans may use language statistics as the basis of prediction, bringing language in line with other cognitive domains. Finally, I will discuss how the close correlation between the predictions of language models and N400 amplitude means that we can use previous psycholinguistic research to identify possible unexpected patterns of behavior in state-of-the-art large language models.

Grow your network, explore leadership opportunities, and celebrate your communities with MIT ERGs!MIT has a variety of resources that can help foster a sense of belonging for new and existing employees. One of the best resources for this is our Employee Resource Group community. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led groups formed around common interests, common bonds, or similar backgrounds. ERG members help create a positive work environment at MIT by actively contributing to the Institute’s mission, values, and efforts specific to inclusion.You have an opportunity to learn more about ERGs: meet the people who help fellow employees thrive at the Employee Welcome Wagon virtual information session on February 25 at 12 pm.The list of active ERGs:African, Black, American, Caribbean (ABAC) ERGAsian Pacific American (APA) ERGDisabilities ERG​​​​​​​Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer (LBGTQ) ERG​​​​​​​Millennials ERGVeterans and Military ERGWe are committed to making this event fully accessible to everyone who wants to attend. Please let us know if there is anything you need to participate fully in this event by e-mailing vulfp@mit.edu.REGISTER HERE: http://web.mit.edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/training/course.html?course=CTD21064c (Under the “Get Oriented at MIT” section on Atlas Course Catalog)

Want to get exercise mid-day but don’t want to go outside? Join the tunnel walk for a 30-minute walk led by a volunteer through MIT’s famous tunnel system. This walk may include stairs/inclines. Wear comfortable shoes. Free.Location details: Meet in the atrium by the staircase. Location photo below.Tunnel Walk Leaders will have a white flag they will raise at the meeting spot for you to find them.Prize Drawing: Attend a walk and scan a QR code from the walk leaders to be entered into a drawing for a getfit tote bag at the end of the getfit challenge. The more walks you attend, the more entries you get. Winner will be drawn and notified at the end of April. Winner does not need to be a getfit participant.Disclaimer: Tunnel walks are led by volunteers. In the rare occasion when a volunteer isn’t able to make it, we will do our best to notify participants. In the event we are unable to notify participants and a walk leader does not show up, we encourage you to walk as much as you feel comfortable doing so. We recommend checking this calendar just before you head out. [As of Feb 12, this calendar is defaulting to the year 1899. Click "today" to be brought to the current month.]Getfit is a 12-week fitness challenge for the entire MIT community. These tunnel walks are open to the entire MIT community and you do not need to be a current getfit participant to join.

MIT Free English Class is for international students, sholars, spouses. Twenty seven years ago we created a community to welcome the nations to MIT and assist with language and friendship. Join our Tuesday/Thursday conversation classes around tables inside W11-190.

Want to get a better night’s sleep? This health coaching workshop will provide tools and techniques that help improve sleep quality, manage stress to protect your good night’s sleep, and make getting up in the morning easier. We will also plan for the upcoming clock change and discuss hot topics in sleep health. Please bring writing materials to participate in health coaching activities.Learning objectives:Understand evidence-based strategies for getting better sleepPractice techniques that are associated with sleep qualityDiscuss current topics in sleep healthThe MIT Health Seminar Series are open to members of the MIT community, along with patients who get their care at MIT Health.Featured Speaker: Susanna (Zan) Barry. Zan develops programs to support the wellbeing of groups and individuals, including stress management, sleep health, mindfulness, and eating and body image concerns. Her classes, groups and workshops are offered at MIT Health and across the Cambridge campus. Her training is in education, psychology, and integrative health.

The Chaplains invite you to take a brief pause for refreshments and conversation as you cross campus this month. Find us in the Stata Street on Tuesday afternoons. Look for the rocking chairs!