Glossary
action selection mechanism. (ASM) A mechanism that computes which action should be
executed by a behaviour-based system in dependence of the internal state and the external
perceptions. (See Section 3.1.)
adaptation. The act or process of adapting or fitting.
agent. An actor. We define an agent as a system which has goals to fulfill.
animat. Artificial animal. Simulated animal or autonomous robot (Wilson, 1985).
appetitive behaviour. An appetitive behaviour is one that leads indirectly to the satisfaction of
a motivation (e.g. approach food in order to satiate your hunger).
autonomy. The ability of self control.
behaviour. The action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified
circumstances.
behaviour-based system. (BBS) An ethologically inspired system which provides the control
to an artificial creature.
behavioural basis of cognition. We believe that cognition has a basis in adaptive behaviour. In
order to understand and reproduce cognition, we need to understand and reproduce
adaptive behaviour first. (See Introduction and Conclusions.)
behaviours production system. (BPS) A system that produces behaviour in order to control an
autonomous agent. This production in most cases will be emergent. (See Section 3.2.)
belief. Acceptance of a fact, opinion, or proposition.
cognition. Knowledge. Understanding. Faculty of understanding things, compare them, make
judgements, and deductions.
collective misbelief. Mistaken belief, caused and reinforced by the reciprocal beliefs on the
actions of others. (See Section 6.2.4.)
competition. Contest, strife.
complex system. A complex system is composed of several elements interacting among them.
The complexity of a system depends on the number of elements that conform it, the number
of interactions among the elements, and the complexities of the elements and the
interactions. (See Section 2.1.)
conscious behaviour. Behaviour executed while being aware of it. (See Introduction.)
consummatory behaviour. A consummatory behaviour is one that leads directly to the
satisfaction of a motivation (e.g. eat in order to satiate your hunger).
emergent property. Emergent properties arise from the interactions of the components of a
system, but are not present in the components themselves.
ethology. Branch of biology that studies animal behaviour.
goal. Final purpose or aim. The end of an action.
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