ELIZA

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  ELIZA
       
           A famous program by {Joseph
          Weizenbaum}, which simulated a Rogerian psychoanalyst by
          rephrasing many of the patient's statements as questions and
          posing them to the patient.  It worked by simple {pattern


          recognition} and substitution of key words into canned
          phrases.  It was so convincing, however, that there are many
          anecdotes about people becoming very emotionally caught up in
          dealing with ELIZA.  All this was due to people's tendency to
          attach to words meanings which the computer never put there.
       
          See also {ELIZA effect}.
       
          (1997-09-13)