Hierarchical models of behavior and prefrontal function.

Full Abstract

The recognition of hierarchical structure in human behavior was one of the founding insights of the cognitive revolution. Despite decades of research, however, the computational mechanisms underlying hierarchically organized behavior are still not fully understood. Recent findings from behavioral and neuroscientific research have fueled a resurgence of interest in the problem, inspiring a new generation of computational models. In addition to developing some classic proposals, these models also break fresh ground, teasing apart different forms of hierarchical structure, placing a new focus on the issue of learning and addressing recent findings concerning the representation of behavioral hierarchies within the prefrontal cortex. In addition to offering explanations for some key aspects of behavior and functional neuroanatomy, the latest models also pose new questions for empirical research.

Author information

Author/s: Botvinick, Matthew M (MM);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Green Hall, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. matthewb(-atsign-)princeton.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Trends in cognitive sciences (Trends Cogn Sci), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 12 (issue 5) : pp 201-8

Dates: Created 2008/05/05; Completed 2008/08/19;

PMID: 18420448, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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