AN OPTIMAL YARDSTICK FOR COGNITION
Target Article by Worden on Optimal-Cognition

<hr> Robert P. Worden  (1996) An Optimal Yardstick for Cognition. Psycoloquy: 7(01) Optimal Cognition (1)<br>Versions: <a href=ftp://www.cogsci.soton.ac.uk/pub/psycoloquy//1996.volume.7/psyc.96.7.01.optimal-cognition.1.worden>ASCII</a> <a href=https://www.cogsci.ecs.soton.ac.uk/cgi/psyc/newpsy?7.01>formatted</a><hr>
<TITLE>Psycoloquy 7(01): An Optimal Yardstick for Cognition</TITLE>
<H1>AN OPTIMAL YARDSTICK FOR COGNITION<br>
Target Article by Worden on Optimal-Cognition<br>
</H1>
<ADDRESS>Robert P. Worden <br>
Logica UK Ltd <br>
Betjeman House <br>
104 Hills Road<br>
Cambridge CB2 1LQ, UK<br>
<br>
<a href=mailto:wordenr@logica.com>wordenr@logica.com</a> 
</ADDRESS>
<P><H1>Abstract</H1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Firstly, by analysing its biological function, I show
that there is a best possible form of cognition, which gives
greatest fitness. The results of this optimal cognition can be
calculated in any domain -- such as foraging, navigation, vision,
or conditioning. Secondly, internal representations and symbols
emerge as a feature of near-optimal cognition. This gives a
biological basis for cognitivism. Finally, we do not expect brains
to evolve to the precise optimum. However, there are indications
that animal cognition usually comes close to optimum efficiency,
while today's cognitive models (such as  neural nets or
reinforcement learning models) have a wide range of efficiencies.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><H1>Keywords</H1><i>
Bayes, conditioning, evolution, foraging, navigation,
neural nets, optimality, representation, situated action.
</i>
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</UL>