The Anticipatory Approach: Definitions and Taxonomies

Abstract

The anticipatory approach that we propose consists in understanding and conceptualizing anticipation and anticipatory behavior in natural cognition and implementing them in artificial systems. We propose that anticipatory systems have capabilities that go far beyond those of purely reactive ones and that anticipation is a prerequisite for several cognitive functions, and in general for goal-oriented behavior. Consequently, in this chapter we first provide definitions for anticipation and anticipatory behavior (Section 2.1). We then classify and distinguish different types and aspects of predictive and anticipatory mechanisms (Section 2.2). Next, we classify anticipatory mechanisms in goal-oriented behavior (Section 2.3) and finally distinguish anticipatory mechanisms in learning structures (Section 2.4). The classifications put forward in this chapter are meant to clarify what anticipatory mechanisms are and how they can influence cognitive systems’ behavior and learning. Chapter 3 then reviews the potential benefits of anticipatory mechanism and also discusses potential drawbacks. In the subsequent chapters, we then take the artificial systems perspective and put forward the requirements and the capabilities of currently available anticipatory cognitive systems.