How active perception and attractor dynamics shape perceptual categorization: A computational model

We propose a computational model of perceptual categorization that fuses elements of grounded and sensorimotor theories of cognition with dynamic models of decision-making. We assume that category information consists in anticipated patterns of agent-environment interactions that can be elicited through overt or covert (simulated) eye movements, object manipulation, etc. This information is firstly encoded when category information is acquired, and then re-enacted during perceptual categorization. The perceptual categorization consists in a dynamic competition between attractors that encode the sensorimotor patterns typical of each category; action prediction success counts as "evidence" for a given category and contributes to falling into the corresponding attractor. The evidence accumulation process is guided by an active perception loop, and the active exploration of objects (e.g., visual exploration) aims at eliciting expected sensorimotor patterns that count as evidence for the object category. We present a computational model incorporating these elements and describing action prediction, active perception, and attractor dynamics as key elements of perceptual categorizations. We test the model in three simulated perceptual categorization tasks, and we discuss its relevance for grounded and sensorimotor theories of cognition. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tipo Pubblicazione: 
Articolo
Author or Creator: 
Volpi, Nicola Catenacci
Quinton, Jean Charles
Pezzulo, Giovanni
Publisher: 
Pergamon,, New York , Stati Uniti d'America
Source: 
Neural networks 60 (2014): 1–16. doi:10.1016/j.neunet.2014.06.008
info:cnr-pdr/source/autori:Volpi, Nicola Catenacci; Quinton, Jean Charles; Pezzulo, Giovanni/titolo:How active perception and attractor dynamics shape perceptual categorization: A computational model/doi:10.1016/j.neunet.2014.06.008/rivista:Neural network
Date: 
2014
Resource Identifier: 
http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/308972
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neunet.2014.06.008
info:doi:10.1016/j.neunet.2014.06.008
Language: 
Eng
ISTC Author: 
Ritratto di Giovanni Pezzulo
Real name: