On the origins of computationally complex behavior

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dc.contributor.authorGrace, Randolph
dc.contributor.authorCarvell, G E
dc.contributor.authorMorton, Nicola
dc.contributor.authorGrice, M
dc.contributor.authorWilson, Anna
dc.contributor.authorKemp, Simon
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-26T01:44:03Z
dc.date.available2024-11-26T01:44:03Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractThere is considerable evidence for computationally complex behavior, that is, behavior that appears to require the equivalent of mathematical calculation by the organism. Spatial navigation by path integration is perhaps the best example. The most influential account of such behavior has been Gallistel's (1990) computational-representational theory, which assumes that organisms represent key environmental variables such as direction and distance traveled as real numbers stored in engrams and are able to perform arithmetic computations on those representations. But how are these computations accomplished? A novel perspective is gained from the historical development of algebra. We propose that computationally complex behavior suggests that the perceptual system represents an algebraic field, which is a mathematical concept that expresses the structure underlying arithmetic. Our field representation hypothesis predicts that the perceptual system computes 2 operations on represented magnitudes, not 1. We review recent research in which human observers were trained to estimate differences and ratios of stimulus pairs in a nonsymbolic task without explicit instruction (Grace, Morton, Ward, Wilson, & Kemp, 2018). Results show that the perceptual system automatically computes two operations when comparing stimulus magnitudes. A field representation offers a resolution to longstanding controversies in psychophysics about which of 2 algebraic operations is fundamental (e.g., the Fechner-Stevens debate), overlooking the possibility that both might be. In terms of neural processes that might support computationally complex behavior, our hypothesis suggests that we should look for evidence of 2 operations and for symmetries corresponding to the additive and multiplicative groups.
dc.identifier.citationGrace RC, Carvell GE, Morton NJ, Grice M, Wilson AJ, Kemp S (2020). On the origins of computationally complex behavior. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition. 46(1). 1-15.
dc.identifier.doihttp://doi.org/10.1037/xan0000227
dc.identifier.issn2329-8456
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10092/105960
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA)
dc.rightsAll rights reserved unless otherwise stated
dc.rights.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectBehavior, Animal
dc.subjectPsychophysics
dc.subjectMathematical Concepts
dc.subjectSpatial Navigation
dc.subject.anzsrc1701 Psychology
dc.subject.anzsrc1702 Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.anzsrc52 - Psychology
dc.titleOn the origins of computationally complex behavior
dc.typeJournal Article
uc.collegeFaculty of Science
uc.departmentSchool of Educational Studies and Leadership
uc.departmentSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
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