Working Memory for Online Memory Binding Tasks: A Hybrid Model

Abstract

Working memory is the brain module that holds and manipulates information online. In this work, we design a hybrid model in which a simple feed-forward network is coupled to a balanced random network via a read–write vector called the interface vector. Three cases and their results are discussed similar to the n-back task called, first-order memory binding task, generalized first-order memory task, and second-order memory binding task. The important result is that our dual-component model of working memory shows good performance with learning restricted to the feed-forward component only. Here, we take advantage of the random network property without learning. Finally, a more complex memory binding task called, a cue-based memory binding task, is introduced in which a cue is given as input representing a binding relation that prompts the network to choose the useful chunk of memory. To our knowledge, this is the first time that random networks as a flexible memory is shown to play an important role in online binding tasks. We may interpret our results as a candidate model of working memory in which the feed-forward network learns to interact with the temporary storage random network as an attentional-controlling executive system.