Roesch, E. B; Spencer, Matt; Nasuto, S.J; Tanay, T and Bishop, Mark (J. M.). 2013. Exploration of the Functional Properties of Interaction: Computer Models and Pointers for Theory. Constructivist Foundations, 9(1), pp. 26-33. ISSN 1782-348X [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Context: Constructivist approaches to cognition have mostly been descriptive, and now face the challenge of specifying the mechanisms that may support the acquisition of knowledge. Departing from cognitivism, however, requires the development of a new functional framework that will support causal, powerful and goal-directed behavior in the context of the interaction between the organism and the environment. Problem: The properties affecting the computational power of this interaction are, however, unclear, and may include partial information from the environment, exploration, distributed processing and aggregation of information, emergence of knowledge and directedness towards relevant information. Method: We posit that one path towards such a framework may be grounded in these properties, supported by dynamical systems. To assess this hypothesis, we describe computational models inspired from swarm intelligence, which we use as a metaphor to explore the practical implications of the properties highlighted. Results: Our results demonstrate that these properties may serve as the basis for complex operations, yielding the elaboration of knowledge and goal-directed behavior. Implications: This work highlights aspects of interaction that we believe ought to be taken into account when characterizing the possible mechanisms underlying cognition. The scope of the models we describe cannot go beyond that of a metaphor, however, and future work, theoretical and experimental, is required for further insight into the functional role of interaction with the environment for the elaboration of complex behavior. Constructivist content: Inspiration for this work stems from the constructivist impetus to account for knowledge acquisition based on interaction

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number (DOI):	n/a
Keywords:	Stochastic diffusion search, clustering, multi-agent system, cognitivism
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Computing Research Office > REF2014
Dates:	Date Event 2013 Published
Item ID:	9507
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2013 09:26
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2017 09:39
Peer Reviewed:	Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/9507

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