The meaningful-based cognitive architecture model of schizophrenia

Abstract

In subsymbolic operation of the Meaningful-Based Cognitive Architecture (MBCA) the input sensory vector is propagated through a hierarchy of Hopfield-like Network (HLN) functional groups, is recognized and may associatively trigger in the instinctual core goals module as well as in groups of HLNs arranged as pre-causal and pattern memory, vectors propagated to the output motor group of HLNs which produce an output signal. In full causal symbolic operation, the processed sensory input vector is also propagated to the logic/working memory groups of HLNs, where it can be compared to other vectors in the logic/working memory, and produce various outputs in response. The processed sensory input vector can trigger in the instinctual core goals module intuitive logic, intuitive physics, intuitive psychology and intuitive planning procedural vectors, as well as trigger in the causal group of HLNs learned logic, physics, psychology and planning procedural vectors which are also sent to the logic/working memory groups of HLNs. These circuits can allow the MBCA to act causally on information it has never seen before. An example is given of a Python simulation where the MBCA which is controlling a legged robot causally determines that a shallow whitewater river will cause water damage to itself, while if the MBCA is acting associatively only and never having seen whitewater before and normally crossing shallow rivers, will cross the whitewater river and become damaged. While the MBCA does not attempt to replicate biological systems at the neuronal spiking level, its HLNs and the organization of its HLNs are indeed inspired by biological mammalian minicolumns and mammalian brains. The MBCA model leads to the hypothesis that in the course of hominin evolution, HLNs became co-opted into groups of HLNs providing more extensive working memories with causal abilities, unlike non-hominins. While such co-option of the minicolumns can allow advantageous causal symbolic processing integrated with subsymbolic processing, the order of magnitude of increased complexity required for such organization and operation, created a vulnerability in the human brain to psychosis, which does not occur with significant prevalence in non-humans.