Similarities and differences in spatial and non-spatial cognitive maps.

ABSTRACT: Learning and generalization in spatial domains is often thought to rely on a "cognitive map", representing relationships between spatial locations. Recent research suggests that this same neural machinery is also recruited for reasoning about more abstract, conceptual forms of knowledge. Yet, to what extent do spatial and conceptual reasoning share common computational principles, and what are the implications for behavior? Using a within-subject design we studied how participants used spatial or conceptual distances to generalize and search for correlated rewards in successive multi-armed bandit tasks. Participant behavior indicated sensitivity to both spatial and conceptual distance, and was best captured using a Bayesian model of generalization that formalized distance-dependent general

SUBMITTER: Wu CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7480875 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature