From Icons to Symbols: Piaget, Pavlov and Peirce on the Evolution of Human Cognition

Introduction

This article aims to explore the connections between Charles Sanders Peirce’s typology of signs—icons, indices, and symbols—and key concepts from cognitive development, specifically Piaget’s notion of object permanence and Pavlov’s signaling systems. By examining how these distinct types of signs align with stages of cognitive growth, we can gain a deeper understanding of how human communication and abstract thinking evolve.

In our previous work, we highlighted the central role of object permanence—a milestone in early cognitive development where infants begin to understand that objects continue to exist even when not directly perceived. This ability marks the shift from immediate sensory responses to more complex mental representations, setting the stage for abstract thinking and symbolic communication. We linked this transition to Pavlov’s signaling systems: the first system is tied to direct, reflexive responses to sensory stimuli, while the second encompasses abstract and symbolic thought, distinguishing human cognition from that of other species.

In this piece, we incorporate Peirce’s typology of signs, which provides a valuable framework for understanding the cognitive progression from direct perceptual experiences to abstract, symbolic thought. Icons and indices, which are directly tied to perceptual experiences, align with the early, concrete stages of cognitive development. In contrast, symbols, which rely on learned associations and cultural conventions, correspond with higher-order cognitive functions that emerge alongside object permanence and the second signaling system. By connecting these theories, we can illuminate the evolutionary path from direct interaction with the world to sophisticated, symbolic forms of communication unique to humans.

Peirce’s Sign Typology and Human Cognitive Development

Peirce’s sign typology—icons, indices, and symbols—provides a nuanced framework for understanding cognitive processing. Icons resemble their objects directly and do not require abstract interpretation. Indices have a direct causal connection to their objects, pointing to them through physical presence or action. In contrast, symbols are abstract and derive their meaning from learned associations and cultural conventions, like words or mathematical notations. These categories align closely with cognitive phases identified by Piaget and Pavlov’s signaling systems. Icons and indices correspond to the pre-object permanence phase, where cognition is rooted in immediate, perceptual interactions, aligning with Pavlov’s first signaling system characterized by direct, reflexive responses to sensory input.

Symbols, however, align with the post-object permanence phase, where abstract thought and symbolic communication become possible. This phase corresponds to Pavlov’s second signaling system, which involves more complex, learned associations and the manipulation of mental representations. Mapping Peirce’s signs onto these cognitive stages reveals a clear progression: from concrete, immediate interactions with the world to abstract, symbolic reasoning, which underpins human communication. This intersection of semiotics, developmental psychology, and cognitive science highlights the evolutionary significance of symbols as central to advanced human cognition.

Icons and Indices: Pre-Object Permanence and the First Signaling System

Icons and indices serve as direct and immediate representations that do not require abstract thought. Icons function through resemblance; they visually mirror their objects, such as a photograph mirroring its subject. Indices, on the other hand, have a physical or causal link to their objects, like smoke indicating fire or a thermometer showing temperature. These signs provide information through perceptual or direct connections, without engaging complex mental constructs or learned associations.

This immediacy aligns with Piaget’s pre-object permanence phase, a stage in early cognitive development where infants perceive the world directly through their senses, without forming enduring mental representations. At this stage, perception is tied to the present moment—objects exist only when directly seen or touched. Icons and indices fit this framework, reflecting how infants interact with their environment.

Similarly, icons and indices correspond to Pavlov’s first signaling system, which governs reflexive, immediate responses to sensory stimuli. Reactions in this system are automatic and triggered directly by environmental cues—much like how an icon or index directly connects to its object. For example, a ringing bell (an index) signaling food results in immediate salivation in a dog, illustrating the directness of this cognitive mode. Thus, icons and indices represent the foundational, perceptual level of human cognition, preceding the development of abstract, symbolic thought.

Symbols: Post-Object Permanence and the Second Signaling System

Symbols are abstract and culturally learned signs that represent objects or concepts through conventional associations rather than direct resemblance or physical connection. Unlike icons and indices, symbols derive their meanings from other symbols within a complex web of mental constructs. For example, the word "tree" does not resemble a tree or point to it directly but gains its meaning from shared linguistic conventions. This abstraction allows symbols to convey ideas that are not immediately present, facilitating complex communication and thought.

This symbolic capacity aligns with Piaget’s concept of object permanence, a cognitive milestone where children develop the ability to mentally represent objects that are no longer in view. Once object permanence is established, thought extends beyond immediate perception; children can reflect on past experiences, imagine future scenarios, and engage in symbolic play. Symbols operate on this higher cognitive plane, allowing individuals to use language and abstract representations to navigate the world.

Symbols also correspond with Pavlov’s second signaling system, which involves complex learned associations and abstract thinking. In this system, responses are mediated by language and symbols, enabling advanced cognitive functions like reasoning, planning, and symbolic communication. For instance, hearing the word "fire" triggers a mental image and associated knowledge without direct sensory experience. Thus, symbols epitomize the advanced, abstract nature of human cognition, distinguishing it from more immediate, sensory-bound modes of thought.

The Transition from Icons and Indices to Symbols

The shift from direct perception to abstract thought marks a crucial cognitive evolution, characterized by the transition from reliance on icons and indices to the use of symbols. Icons and indices operate within immediate, direct interactions with reality. This direct, sensory-based processing characterizes early cognitive stages, aligning with Piaget’s pre-object permanence phase, where understanding is tied to what is perceptually available.

The developmental leap occurs with the emergence of object permanence, where children begin to form mental representations of objects not immediately present. This milestone paves the way for abstract thinking and symbol use, which rely on learned, culturally mediated associations rather than direct sensory experience.

Peirce’s phrase “Omne Symbolum de Symbolo” (“Every symbol follows from a symbol”) encapsulates this cognitive stage. It underscores that symbols emerge from a network of other symbols, reflecting a unique, self-referential mode of thought distinct from the direct connections of icons and indices. This networked nature of symbols highlights their reliance on mental constructs and cultural conventions, representing a sophisticated level of cognition that enables humans to navigate complex social and conceptual landscapes.

Integrating Semiotics, Cognitive Development, and Communication Systems

Integrating the theories of Peirce, Piaget, and Pavlov provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of human cognitive and communicative capacities. Peirce’s sign typology—icons, indices, and symbols—maps onto key stages of cognitive development described by Piaget and Pavlov’s signaling systems. Icons and indices, representing direct, immediate interactions with reality, align with Piaget’s pre-object permanence stage and Pavlov’s first signaling system, characterized by direct sensory responses. As cognitive development progresses, the emergence of object permanence marks a transition to abstract thought, enabling the use of symbols, which correspond with Pavlov’s second signaling system and Piaget’s higher cognitive stages.

These intertwined developmental processes underpin the unique features of human language. The shift from direct perception to symbolic thought supports the duality of structure in language, where basic sound units combine to form complex, meaningful expressions. This layered organization reflects the transition from simple, immediate responses to sophisticated manipulation of abstract symbols. Symbolic representation, enabled by the second signaling system, allows for the cultural transmission of language, making it adaptable and deeply embedded in social contexts.

Human language is thus not merely a tool for communication but a complex cognitive achievement rooted in our ability to form and navigate symbolic systems. This synthesis of semiotics, cognitive development, and communication theory highlights the evolutionary leap that sets humans apart—our capacity to engage with the world through culturally mediated mental symbols, enabling prediction, creativity, and complex social interaction.

Conclusion

This article has explored how Peirce’s typology of signs—icons, indices, and symbols—provides valuable insights into the progression of human cognitive development, aligning with Piaget’s stages of object permanence and Pavlov’s signaling systems. Icons and indices, which rely on direct sensory connections, correspond with early cognitive phases characterized by immediate, perceptual responses. In contrast, symbols, which represent abstract and culturally learned constructs, emerge alongside the development of object permanence and the capacity for symbolic thought. This transition underscores the cognitive leap from direct perception to the use of complex mental models, enabling advanced forms of communication and abstract reasoning.

A broader implication of this analysis touches on interpretations of Peirce’s phrase “Omne Symbolum de Symbolo” (“Every symbol follows from a symbol”), which some poststructuralist philosophers have taken to suggest that nothing exists outside of language. However, a closer examination of Peirce’s work reveals that he did not deny the existence of an objective world or truth. This is evident in his concluding statement: “The art of reasoning is the art of marshalling such signs, and of finding out the truth.” For Peirce, human cognition operates through mental representations and symbols, but this does not imply the absence of reality. Rather, it highlights the uniquely human capacity to engage with the world through abstract constructs, using signs as tools for reasoning and discovering truths about an external, objective reality. Peirce’s semiotics thus affirms a dynamic relationship between thought, language, and the world, grounded in both symbolic interpretation and empirical engagement.

Related Posts

Beyond Terminology: Exploring Sign Typology in Peirce and Saussure

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2024/05/blog-post_15.html

Demystifying Semiotics: Derrida and Peirce on Truth and Reality

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2023/09/demystifying-semiotic-derrida-vs-peirce.html

Discovering Semiotics: Peirce's Pansemiotic View of the Universe

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2023/09/blog-post_28.html

From Waggle to Symbol: The Role of Object Permanence in Human Cognitive Development

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2024/09/blog-post_290.html

Bibliography

Piaget, Jean. The Construction of Reality in the Child. New York: Basic Books, 1954.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Pavlov

Peirce, Charles Sanders. 1894. "What Is a Sign?" Accessed September 8, 2024: https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/us/peirce1.htm