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Synchronisation effects on the behavioural performance and information dynamics of a simulated minimally cognitive robotic agent
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:32 authored by Renan C Moioli, Patricia A Vargas, Phil HusbandsPhil HusbandsOscillatory activity is ubiquitous in nervous systems, with solid evidence that synchronisation mechanisms underpin cognitive processes. Nevertheless, its informational content and relationship with behaviour are still to be fully understood. In addition, cognitive systems cannot be properly appreciated without taking into account brain–body– environment interactions. In this paper, we developed a model based on the Kuramoto Model of coupled phase oscillators to explore the role of neural synchronisation in the performance of a simulated robotic agent in two different minimally cognitive tasks. We show that there is a statistically significant difference in performance and evolvability depending on the synchronisation regime of the network. In both tasks, a combination of information flow and dynamical analyses show that networks with a definite, but not too strong, propensity for synchronisation are more able to reconfigure, to organise themselves functionally and to adapt to different behavioural conditions. The results highlight the asymmetry of information flow and its behavioural correspondence. Importantly, it also shows that neural synchronisation dynamics, when suitably flexible and reconfigurable, can generate minimally cognitive embodied behaviour.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Biological CyberneticsISSN
0340-1200Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
6-7Volume
106Page range
407-427Department affiliated with
- Informatics Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-10-08First Open Access (FOA) Date
2012-10-08First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2012-10-08Usage metrics
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