Summary and Conclusions

Abstract

Symbols have been distinguished in this study from signs and signals on the basis of their different functions. Both sign and symbol serve the recognition of cognition-contents. Signs and signals function as indicators of something that they are not themselves, and act as stimulators of behavior related to what they signify. They are in their cognitive and behavioral aspects servants of the functional relations of the individual and his world. The meaning of what the sign signifies (of what it refers to, or its referent) can be derived from a causal relation (e.g., smoke-fire), can be the product of a social contract (e.g., traffic signs), or it can be based on the association of accidental or purposively brought about concepts of togetherness of sign or signal and referent (e.g., buzzer-food, in Pavlov’s conditioning experiments) .