Could Emotions Be Modelled through Information Processing?

2015 ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Oshni Alvandi
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Emotional Agents ◽  
The Brain

One way to evaluate cognitive processes in living or nonliving systems is by using the notion of “information processing”. Emotions as cognitive processes orient human beings to recognize, express and display themselves or their wellbeing through dynamical and adaptive form of information processing. In addition, humans behave or act emotionally in an embodied environment. The brain embeds symbols, meaning and purposes for emotions as well. So any model of natural or autonomous emotional agents/systems needs to consider the embodied features of emotions that are processed in an informational channel of the brain or a processing system. This analytical and explanatory study described in this chapter uses the pragmatic notion of information to develop a theoretical model for emotions that attempts to synthesize some essential aspects of human emotional processing. The model holds context-sensitive and purpose-based features of emotional pattering in the brain. The role of memory is discussed and an idea of control parameters that have roles in processing environmental variables in emotional patterning is introduced.

Could Emotions Be Modelled through Information Processing?

2016 ◽  
pp. 1348-1367
Author(s):  
Ebrahim Oshni Alvandi
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Emotional Agents ◽  
The Brain

One way to evaluate cognitive processes in living or nonliving systems is by using the notion of “information processing”. Emotions as cognitive processes orient human beings to recognize, express and display themselves or their wellbeing through dynamical and adaptive form of information processing. In addition, humans behave or act emotionally in an embodied environment. The brain embeds symbols, meaning and purposes for emotions as well. So any model of natural or autonomous emotional agents/systems needs to consider the embodied features of emotions that are processed in an informational channel of the brain or a processing system. This analytical and explanatory study described in this chapter uses the pragmatic notion of information to develop a theoretical model for emotions that attempts to synthesize some essential aspects of human emotional processing. The model holds context-sensitive and purpose-based features of emotional pattering in the brain. The role of memory is discussed and an idea of control parameters that have roles in processing environmental variables in emotional patterning is introduced.

Cartesian Robotics

2013 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bates
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Processing System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Information Processing System ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Physiological Theory

This essay looks closely at René Descartes’s physiological theory, and especially his theorization of the nerves and the brain as an information-processing system, in order to offer a new interpretation of cognition within his philosophy. Rather than opposing mind and body, Descartes showed how the operations of the soul interrupted the automatic cognitive processes of the body to provide adaptive flexibility for the human organism as a whole.

Exposure to Video Games and Decision Making

2019 ◽  
pp. 117-131
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Curcio ◽  
Sara Peracchia
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Popular Press ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Brain

In the last years, it is ever more frequent to read popular press stories about the effects of video and/or computer games on the brain and on the behavior. In some cases, we can read something claiming that video games “damage the brain,” while in others these activities can “boost brain power,” and such conflicting proclamation create confusion about the real or potential effects of this activity on human beings. Thus, it is very interesting to deeply understand the effect that exposure to video games (VGs) can have on cognitive processes, with particular attention to decision making. Only a few studies have been carried out on this issue: the main aim of this contribution is to clarify these aspects, critically reviewing the existing scientific literature. Particular attention has been dedicated to normal and pathological players, different types of VGs, and moral aspects of decision making vulnerable to VGs. It has been concluded that research in this area is still in its early days, and this short review aims at discussing several issues and challenges that should be addressed to forward this research field.

Anxiety and Cognitive Processes in Problem Solving

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth E. Sinclair ◽  
Terence A. Heys ◽  
Stephen de C. Kemmis
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Human Problem

In this paper a trait-state conception of anxiety is presented which incorporates a number of extensions to current theorizing. The conception is a cognitive one in that it emphasizes information processing that occurs with respect to both the trait and state components of anxiety. The conception indicates a number of insights into human problem solving that can be made through a consideration of cognitive processing, anxiety processing, and their interaction. In particular, the role of coping styles in threat reduction and the influence of A-state on specific cognitive processes are examined. Implications for theory and further research are discussed.

The Role of Information Processing Between the Brain and Peripheral Physiological Systems in Pacing and Perception of Effort

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 705-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan St Clair Gibson ◽  
Estelle V Lambert ◽  
Laurie H G Rauch ◽  
Ross Tucker ◽  
Denise A Baden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Perception Of Effort ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Role Of Information ◽  
Physiological Systems

Niche Construction and Religious Evolution

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agustín Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Niche Construction ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Religious Behavior ◽  
Evolutionary Context ◽  
Evolutionary Success ◽  
Religious Evolution ◽  
Core Part

In an evolutionary context neither religion nor religiosity can appear full-blown, and thus it is valuable to search for the kinds of structures, behaviors, and cognitive processes that might facilitate the appearance of such patterns in human beings. The quest for understanding the human propensity for religious behavior is aided by investigating the core role of the evolutionary processes related to the emergence of humanity. However, the majority of approaches in the field of the evolution of religious behavior, and religions themselves, rely heavily on overly reductionistic neo-Darwinian models. They seek to explain faith, religious institutions, and ritual practice primarily in terms of their relation to natural selection and their potential roles as adaptations. The niche construction approach to religious evolution provides an alternative to the primarily functionalist and reductive approach. This way of approaching the human niche, and human evolution, lays a groundwork for modeling the development of the structures (cognitive and behavioral) that can facilitate a more comprehensive, and less reductive, understanding of the human propensity for imagination, faith, and ritual. This approach suggests that a distinctively human imagination, and a uniquely human metaphysics, is a core part of being human and thus part of the explanation for human evolutionary success.

Physical activity as a protective factor for successful aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (87) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Andrzej Jopkiewicz ◽  
Monika Królicka–Czerniak ◽  
Anita Zaręba
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Brain

To divide the types of aging (successful, usual and impaired), as well as factors affecting this process, the protective role of physical activity was discussed in the literature. It was emphasized that physical activity is also a very important protective factor for cognitive aging - mainly executive function and memory. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, i.e. the regions of the brain responsible for the control and course of cognitive processes, show susceptibility to stimulation, which is movement exercises, which are prevention of degenerative changes within the brain.

GLOBAL EFFECTS OF FLUCTUATIONS IN NEURAL INFORMATION PROCESSING

1996 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 497-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
HANS LILJENSTRÖM
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Memory State ◽  
Cortical Dynamics ◽  
Neural Information ◽  
Neural Information Processing ◽  
Correct Pattern ◽  
The Brain

We are interested in how the complex dynamics of the brain, which may include oscillations, chaos and noise, can affect the efficiency of neural information processing. Here, we consider the amplification and functional role of fluctuations, expressed as chaos or noise in the system. Using computer simulations of a neural network model of the olfactory cortex, we demonstrate how microscopic fluctuations can result in global effects at the network level. In particular, we show that the rate of information processing in associative memory tasks can be maximized for optimal noise levels. Noise can also induce transitions between different dynamical states, related to learning and memory. A chaotic-like behavior, induced by noise or by an increase in neuronal excitability, can enhance system performance if it is transient and converges to a limit cycle memory state. The level of accuracy required for correct pattern association further affects the rate of information processing. We discuss how neuromodulatory control of the cortical dynamics can shift the balance between rate and accuracy optimization, as well as between sensitivity and stability.

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