1. a theory in psychology and cognitive science that explains learning and behavior through networks of interconnected units or neurons that strengthen or weaken connections based on experience
Usage: technical; psychology and artificial intelligence
2. a philosophical approach emphasizing that knowledge and mental processes arise from the connections and associations between ideas or concepts rather than from innate structures
Usage: philosophy; historical

Examples

• Connectionism has become a dominant framework in modern artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• The theory of connectionism suggests that the brain learns by adjusting the strength of connections between neurons.
• Researchers use connectionism to model how humans acquire language and develop cognitive skills.
• Connectionism contrasts with symbolic approaches that rely on explicit rules and representations.
• Early connectionist models were inspired by the structure and function of biological neural networks.