When the simplest voluntary decisions appear patently suboptimal

Rahnev & Denison (R&D) catalog numerous experiments in which performance deviates, often in subtle ways, from the theoretical ideal. We discuss an extreme case, an elementary behavior (reactive saccades to single targets) for which a simple contextual manipulation results in responses that are dramatically different from those expected based on reward maximization – and yet are highly informative and amenable to mechanistic examination.

Learning the Condition of Satisfaction of an Elementary Behavior in Dynamic Field Theory

In order to proceed along an action sequence, an autonomous agent has to recognize that the intended final condition of the previous action has been achieved. In previous work, we have shown how a sequence of actions can be generated by an embodied agent using a neural-dynamic architecture for behavioral organization, in which each action has an intention and condition of satisfaction. These components are represented by dynamic neural fields, and are coupled to motors and sensors of the robotic agent.Here,we demonstratehowthemappings between intended actions and their resulting conditions may be learned, rather than pre-wired.We use reward-gated associative learning, in which, over many instances of externally validated goal achievement, the conditions that are expected to result with goal achievement are learned. After learning, the external reward is not needed to recognize that the expected outcome has been achieved. This method was implemented, using dynamic neural fields, and tested on a real-world E-Puck mobile robot and a simulated NAO humanoid robot.

An AUV for Ocean Exploring and its Motion Control System Architecture

With the development of exploring and utilizing ocean source, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) which could finish autonomous mission process is paid more and more attention. As an artificial intelligence system, AUV has high independence, reliability and adaptability to ocean environment. An efficient architecture of AUV plays an important role in achieving those properties. A newly developed AUV, “ZT-AUV”, which is used for ocean exploring, is introduced. And its motion control system architecture is described. The architecture is divided into four parts including blackboard system, elementary behavior agent group, reflection behavior agent group and execution agent. The blackboard system is not only information processing and management center, but also agents' behavior control center. As the executable unit of motion controller, elementary behavior agent group makes AUV achieve three kinds of motion including surge, yaw and heave by certain control algorithm. Reflection behavior agent group is the unit by which the behavior of AUV can be achieved in another way, and it works when the system has fault. Execution agent finally drives the actuators of the system. The structures of the four parts mentioned above are discussed respectively. Both the hardware and software are described. Finally, simulation experiments and real experiments are conducted to test the whole system, and the results prove that the system architecture is reliable, flexible and extensible.

Social Exchange and Social System: A Parsonian Approach

Three problems have restricted the use by sociologists of social exchange theory. The first is the risk of utilitarianism, present in the perspective followed by Homans. The second problem is the inability of social exchange theory fully to achieve its goals: in particular, its failure to resolve the issue of money in social exchange. The third problem is social exchange theory's inability to pass from explanation of elementary behavior to that of social structures and institutions. This essay shows how these difficulties can be overcome by incorporating social exchange theory into a Parsonian framework. Development is given to Parsons's notion of influence as a generalized medium of exchange which circulates in the social system and which, for sociology, performs the same functions as money in economics. The analogies between the conceptual systems of economics and sociology go beyond the simple notion of exchange, which, in fact, constitutes a key concept with which to study the workings of the social system.