Excerpt: In this paper I shall briefly discuss some points concerning the generation of invariances and rules that seem to be much the same for theories of cognitive development and for cybernetic control theory. The stress should be on some. Given the time limit, much will have to be left out. Nevertheless I hope to show that there are certain logical and epistemological aspects to the construction of invariances and the making of rules that cannot be disregarded in any study of cognitive functions or intelligent self-regulation.

Key words: cognition, cybernetics

Key words: philosophy, language

Key words: cognition

Key words: artificial intelligence, communication

Key words: language development, mind, genetic epistemology, social research, cognition, child development, developmental stages

This paper describes the ultrastructural modifications that cockroach campaniform sensilla undergo at three major stages in the molting cycle and finds that the sensilla are physiological functional at all developmental stages leading to ecdysis. Late stage animals on the verge of ecdysis have two completely separate cuticles. The campaniform sensillum sends a 220-mum extension of the sensory process through a hole in its cap in the new (inner) cuticle across a fluid-filled molting space to its functional insertion in the cap in the old (outer) cuticle. Mechanical stimulation of the old cap excites the sensillum. The ultrastructural geometry of late stage sensilla, coupled with the observation they are physiolgically functional, supports the hypotheses (a) that sensory transduction occurs at the tip of the sensory process, and (b) that cap identation causes the cap cuticle to pinch the tip of the sensory process, thereby stimulating the sensillum.