harnad@mind.UUCP (Stevan Harnad) (06/12/87)
The following is the abstract of a forthcoming article on which BBS
[Behavioral and Brain Sciences -- An international, interdisciplinary
Journal of Open Peer Commentary, published by Cambridge University Press]
invites self-nominations by potential commentators. The procedure is
explained after the abstract.
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A Framework for the Functional Analysis of Behavior
Alasdair I. Houston
Department of Zoology
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PS
John M. McNamara
School of Mathematics
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TW
ABSTRACT
We present a general framework for analyzing the contribu-
tion to reproductive success of a behavioral action. An
action may make a direct contribution to reproductive suc-
cess, but even in the absence of a direct contribution it
may make an indirect contribution by way of the resulting
change in the animal's state. We consider actions over a
period of time and define a reward function that character-
ises the relationship between the animal's state at the end
of the period and its future reproductive success. By work-
ing back from the end of the period using dynamic program-
ming, the optimal action as a function of state and time can
be found. The procedure also yields a measure of the cost,
in terms of future reproductive success, of a suboptimal
action. These costs provide us with a common currency for
comparing activities such as eating and drinking or eating
and hiding from predators. The costs also give an indication
of the robustness of the conclusions that can be drawn from
the model. We review how our framework can be used to
analyze optimal foraging decisions in a stochastic environ-
ment. We also discuss the modelling of optimal daily rou-
tines and provide an illustration based on singing to
attract a mate. We use the model to investigate the features
that can produce a dawn songburst in birds. State is defined
broadly, so that it includes the information an animal has
about its environment. This exploration and learning can be
included within the framework.
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This is an experiment in using the Net to find eligible commentators
for articles in the Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), an
international, interdisciplinary journal of "open peer commentary,"
published by Cambridge University Press, with its editorial office in
Princeton NJ.
The journal publishes important and controversial interdisciplinary
articles in psychology, neuroscience, behavioral biology, cognitive science,
artificial intelligence, linguistics and philosophy. Articles are
rigorously refereed and, if accepted, are circulated to a large number
of potential commentators around the world in the various specialties
on which the article impinges. Their 1000-word commentaries are then
co-published with the target article as well as the author's response
to each. The commentaries consist of analyses, elaborations,
complementary and supplementary data and theory, criticisms and
cross-specialty syntheses.
Eligibility to serve as a BBS commentator normally requires being an
academically trained professional contributor to one of the disciplines
mentioned above, or to related academic disciplines. A letter should be sent
indicating the candidate's general qualifications as well as their basis for
wishing to serve as commentator for the particular target article in question.
It is preferable also to enclose a Curriculum Vitae. (This self-nomination
format may also be used by those who wish to become BBS Associates,
but these must also specify a current Associate who knows their work
and is prepared to nominate them; where no current Associate is known
by the candidate, the editorial office will send the Vita to
approporiate Associates to ask whether they would be prepared to
nominate the candidate.)
Potential commentators should send their names, addresses, a description of
their general qualifications and their basis for seeking to comment on
this target article in particular to the following e-mail or USmail address:
Stevan Harnad, Editor, Behavioral and Brain Sciences
20 Nassau Street, Room 240, Princeton NJ 08542 (phone: 609-921-7771)
--
Stevan Harnad (609) - 921 7771
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