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6 - Dynamical Systems Approaches to Cognition

from Part II - Cognitive Modeling Paradigms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2023

Ron Sun
Affiliation:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
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Summary

Dynamical systems thinking originated from the sensory-motor domain, but is hypothesized to reach all forms of cognition.Dynamic field theory (DFT) is a mathematically specific, neurally grounded formalization of dynamical systems thinking. Stable states of neural activation, realized as localized activation patterns in low-dimensional neural fields are the units of representation. Their dynamic instabilities lead to the emergence of events at discrete moments in time from continuous-time dynamics. These enable sequences of neural processing steps and flexible binding of multiple localist representations within neural dynamic architectures. Stability enables linking DFT accounts to sensory-motor systems and closed-loop behavior. Instabilities and coordinate transforms are key to reaching the flexibility and productivity of higher cognition. This chapter discusses the relationship between DFT and other approaches to cognition.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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