Cognition According to the Ouroboros Model

Abstract

The Ouroboros Model is a novel proposal for a biologically inspired cognitive architecture. At its core lies a self-referential recursive process with alternating phases of data acquisition and evaluation. All memory entries are organized in junks, schemata. At any one time, the activation of part of a schema biases the whole structure and, in particular, missing features. Thus expectations are triggered. In the next step an iterative recursive monitor process termed ’consumption analysis’ is checking how well these expectations fit with the unfolding activations. Mismatches between anticipations based on previous experience and actual current data are highlighted and used for controlling subsequent actions. In this short paper it will be sketched how the Ouroboros Model can shed light on selected cognitive functions including (human) reasoning, learning and emotions.