Links to "Thinking as the control of imagination..."

[John Anderson (091008.1450 EDT)]

For those who are interested, here are links to the article mentioned below:

Psychological Research web site (subscription may be required)

http://www.springerlink.com/content/hk1w2t2j6646689m/?p=5058c6a8f14f45aead0fa084ddf5c08d&pi=6

Author’s web site

http://www.istc.cnr.it/doc/1a_2362b_20090715d_intentional_action.pdf

John

John Anderson, Ph.D.

Senior Research Lecturer

Director, Center for Science and the Public

Department of Physics

University of North Florida

+1-904-620-3988

···

From: Anderson, John
Sent:
Thursday, 08 October 2009 01:34
To:
CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU
Subject: Paper: “Thinking as the control of imagination…”

[From John Anderson (2009.10.08.0132 EDT)]

I ran across this paper this evening, and I wondered if anyone on CSGNET had seen it and could comment on it. (I have just skimmed through it.) One of its references is B:CP, and at least one of the figures is an elaboration on a PCT control system.

Pezzulo, G. & Castelfranchi, C. Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual framework for goal-directed systems. Psychological Research 73, 559-577 (2009).

Abstract : This paper offers a conceptual framework which (re)integrates goal-directed control, motivational processes, and executive functions, and suggests a developmental pathway from situated action to higher level cognition. We first illustrate a basic computational (control-theoretic) model of goal-directed action that makes use of internal modeling. We then show that by adding the problem of selection among multiple action alternatives motivation enters the scene, and that the basic mechanisms of executive functions such as inhibition, the monitoring of progresses, and working memory, are required for this system to work. Further, we elaborate on the idea that the off-line re-enactment of anticipatory mechanisms used for action control gives rise to (embodied) mental simulations, and propose that thinking consists essentially in controlling mental simulations rather than directly controlling behavior and perceptions. We conclude by sketching an evolutionary perspective of this process, proposing that anticipation leveraged cognition, and by highlighting specific predictions of our model.

Best to everyone…

John

John Anderson, Ph.D.

Senior Research Lecturer

Director, Center for Science and the Public

Department of Physics

University of North Florida

+1-904-620-3988