
Generalizing from the Past, Choosing the Future
Author(s) -
Sarah Cowie,
Michael Davison
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
perspectives on behavior science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2520-8977
pISSN - 2520-8969
DOI - 10.1007/s40614-020-00257-9
Subject(s) - generalization , control (management) , event (particle physics) , simple (philosophy) , computer science , agency (philosophy) , order (exchange) , psychology , stability (learning theory) , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , machine learning , mathematics , epistemology , economics , mathematical analysis , physics , finance , quantum mechanics , philosophy
Behavior in the present depends critically on experience in similar environments in the past. Such past experience may be important in controlling behavior not because it determines the strength of a behavior, but because it allows the structure of the current environment to be detected and used. We explore a prospective-control approach to understanding simple behavior. Under this approach, order in the environment allows even simple organisms to use their personal past to respond according to the likely future. The predicted future controls behavior, and past experience forms the building blocks of the predicted future. We explore how generalization affects the use of past experience to predict and respond to the future. First, we consider how generalization across various dimensions of an event determines the degree to which the structure of the environment exerts control over behavior. Next, we explore generalization from the past to the present as the method of deciding when, where, and what to do. This prospective-control approach is measurable and testable; it builds predictions from events that have already occurred, and assumes no agency. Under this prospective-control approach, generalization is fundamental to understanding both adaptive and maladaptive behavior.