Abstract: A speech recognition apparatus using a neural network. A neuron-like element according to the present invention has a means for storing a value of the inner condition thereof, a means for updating a value of internal status on the basis of an output from the neuron-like element itself, outputs from other neuron-like elements and an external input, and an output value generating means for converting a value of internal status into an external output. Accordingly, the neuron-like element itself can retain the history of input data. This enables the time series data, such as speech to be processed without providing any special means in the neural network.