Illinois Genetic Algorithms Laboratory

Butz, M. V. (2004)
TR No.: 2004027 | Download PDF | Download PS

Abstract:
Predictions, desires, or intentions have recently shown to strongly influence behavior, adaptation, and learning. These anticipations influence behavior mediating decision making and action execution as well as attention. Although it is not the future itself that influences the present but the anticipated future states or future properties, the difference to purely stimulus driven behavior and learning is highly significant. Most recent analyses investigate when and where anticipations are helpful to improve behavior. The discovery of environmental properties that favor anticipatory behavior are crucial to understand when and where which adaptive mechanisms work best. Understanding is in progress, theories are emerging. The impact on the understanding of the world, social systems, human learning and understanding, as well as education principles might be immense. The perspective of purpose as part of the cause in the general case might have been underestimated and requires further investigations and considerations.