Computational Systems and Neuronal Processing

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Questions and Answers

What are the main goals of a computational system according to Marr's Three Levels?

To determine the goals and properties of the system (correct)

To ensure outputs match the inputs in structure

To minimize the use of physical resources

To maximize efficiency and speed

What does the transformation of representations involve in a computational system?

Increasing the speed of data retrieval

Maximizing accessibility for users

Changing the format of the information manipulated by the system (correct)

Changing the physical components involved in the process

What is the role of the IDT6116SA/LA 2Kb C-MOS RAM in the game mechanics?

To calculate the score when Mario hits a barrel

To control the movement speed of Mario

To store the position information of Mario and barrels (correct)

To generate sound effects when barrels disappear

How are operations physically implemented in Marr's framework?

Via specific physical objects in the world Signup and view all the answers

What condition must be met for Mario to make a barrel disappear?

Mario must be in the same position as the barrel and have the hammer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Mario's movement is accurate?

Mario can only move in discrete pixel units Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of simple tuning in neurons as observed by Hubel and Wiesel?

It reacts optimally to specific shapes in particular locations Signup and view all the answers

What would likely happen if a magnet were placed next to the arcade cabinet?

It would disrupt how the hammer functions Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT considered when analyzing a computational system's inputs and outputs?

The efficiency of the processing algorithms used Signup and view all the answers

In the context of a cash register, how are prices represented?

In whole numbers of cents in base-10 Signup and view all the answers

Is it possible for Mario to jump while holding the hammer?

Yes, he can jump regardless of the hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'representation used' in a computational system?

It defines how information is stored and processed Signup and view all the answers

What does the operation of addition in a cash register entail?

Carrying out addition right to left with carries involved Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Mario hits a barrel with the hammer?

The barrel disappears. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition must be true for Mario to hit a barrel?

Mario must have the hammer. Signup and view all the answers

How is the position of Mario and the barrel checked in the game?

Using a computational algorithm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the IDT6116SA/LA 2Kb C-MOS RAM in the game?

To store position information. Signup and view all the answers

What computational goal is achieved when Mario interacts with barrels?

Barrels disappear. Signup and view all the answers

If Mario has the hammer, what can be expected when he is near a barrel?

The barrel will disappear. Signup and view all the answers

What could be a potential consequence of having many barrels in the game?

The game may slow down. Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a process used to determine Mario's interaction with barrels?

Determining the number of players in the game. Signup and view all the answers

What factor affects the expected interpersonal distance in social interactions?

Familiarity and liking Signup and view all the answers

How does the striatum contribute to the evaluation of distance in social settings?

It monitors expected versus actual distances Signup and view all the answers

In the Ultimatum Game, what happens when Player 2 rejects the offer?

Both players get nothing Signup and view all the answers

According to computational theories regarding the Ultimatum Game, what is a primary objective for Player 1?

Maximize their own share Signup and view all the answers

What is captured in the computational level theories of player behavior in the Ultimatum Game?

Strategies to compute maximum outcome Signup and view all the answers

How can the values of share options be represented in the Ultimatum Game?

Using binary numbers Signup and view all the answers

What is one method for computing the maximum share in the Ultimatum Game?

Finding the highest-value '1' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the approach using continuous-valued intensities?

Intensities compete with each other Signup and view all the answers

At Time 3, which values are represented in the continuous-valued intensities?

57, 25, 0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the key factor in implementing the algorithm from the Ultimatum Game into physical objects?

Representing choices through tangible physical properties Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Levels of Explanation

Different types of questions can be asked about a computational system, requiring different levels of abstraction.
Computational level: Describes the system’s goal and properties.
Algorithmic level: Explains how the system manipulates information and uses representations, algorithms, and rules.
Implementational level: Explains how the system is physically realized using hardware and objects.

Hubel and Wiesel’s 1959 Experiment

Used a single cell in a cat’s visual cortex to illustrate the relationship between a stimulus and neuronal voltage.
Demonstrated how the cell ‘computes’ a specific stimulus by responding to squares near its upper right side.
The experiment laid the foundation for understanding the role of individual neurons in processing information.

Marr’s Three Levels

A model for understanding how computational systems work, introduced by David Marr.
The framework is broken down into the computational level, algorithmic level, and implementational level.
Cash register example: The computational level shows how the system should work (summing prices), the algorithmic level describes how the system manipulates the information (using base-10 representation and carrying), and the implementational level describes what physical objects are used (gears, digits).

Donkey Kong Example

The system: Playing Donkey Kong on a computer.
Computational level: When Mario hits a barrel with a hammer, the barrel disappears.
Algorithmic level: The game checks if Mario is at the same position as a barrel and if Mario has a hammer.
Implementational level: The positions of Mario and barrels are stored in a specific type of RAM (IDT6116SA/LA 2Kb C-MOS RAM).

Personal Space Example

Computational level: Violating someone’s personal space results in a negative evaluation of the person.
Algorithmic level: This evaluation is based on the expected distance (based on familiarity and liking) and the actual distance. The difference between expected and actual distance is used to compute a prediction error.
Implementational level: The brain’s striatum is involved in tracking both expected and actual distance. The ventral part of the striatum processes expected distance, while the dorsal part processes actual distance. A prediction error is computed based on these values.

Ultimatum Game Example

Computational level: Players' behavior in the ultimatum game can be explained by their desire to maximize their own share.
Algorithmic/Representation level: Players' choices can be represented as binary numbers or as continuous-valued intensities. The game can be simulated by having the intensities compete with each other over time.
Implementational level: The neural mechanisms that are used to implement these representations and algorithms in the brain are not fully understood but likely involve networks of neurons and synapses.

Ultimatum Game Experiment

The experiment shows that people tend to accept even moderately unfair offers (e.g., 25/75 split), but will reject highly unfair offers (e.g., 50/50 split).
The computational level provides a framework for understanding why people might accept unfair offers – it allows us to look at the goals that drive people's behavior when making decisions about fairness.
The algorithmic level allows us to explore how people might represent different decisions and choose the one that best fits their goals. For example, people may use a mechanism that compares the relative value of different offers at different times, or a mechanism that utilizes a threshold for fairness that determines when an offer will be rejected.
The implementational level is still largely unknown, but it's likely that the neural mechanisms involved in these processes are complex and involve interactions between different brain regions that process information about value, fairness, and social behavior.

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Description

Explore the different levels of explanation in computational systems, focusing on the computational, algorithmic, and implementational levels. Delve into Hubel and Wiesel's 1959 experiment that illustrated how neurons process stimuli, and understand Marr's three levels framework for computational understanding.