Content Specification
Wendy G. Lehnert · 2022
This chapter looks at a mechanism within the memory-retrieval part of QUALM that is responsible for determining how much and what kind of information goes into an answer. To determine how a question should be answered, content specification takes into account the conceptual category of each question and the factors that describe the “attitudinal” mode of the entire system. The general system of instructions generated by the content-specification unit are described in terms of two basic mechanisms: elaboration options and category-trace instructions. The chapter explains those factors that are ultimately responsible for conceptually different answers and proceeds with a description of elaboration options and category-trace instructions. Category-trace instructions are designed to construct answers that reflect the interpretive processing of a question. These instructions are dependent on two factors: the intentionality of the system and the category trace of the question.