A dynamical systems account of sensorimotor contingencies

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Philosophy of Mind
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• The sensorimotor approach posits perception as embodied know-how, rooted in sensorimotor contingencies (SMCs).
• Existing definitions of SMCs lack formal precision, hindering conceptual clarity and empirical investigation.
• A need exists to formally distinguish and operationalize core concepts within the sensorimotor framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formally define and distinguish different kinds of sensorimotor contingencies (SMCs).
• To introduce operational definitions for sensorimotor environment, habitat, coordination, and strategy.
• To assess the explanatory value of these defined SMCs using a computational model.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and formal definition of four distinct types of sensorimotor contingencies (SMCs).
• Operationalization of SMCs: sensorimotor environment, habitat, coordination, and strategy.
• Utilized a minimal dynamical model of visually guided categorization to test the defined SMCs.

Main Results:

• Four distinct types of sensorimotor contingencies (SMCs) were formally defined: environment, habitat, coordination, and strategy.
• The operational definitions provide a framework for distinguishing key aspects of sensorimotor interactions.
• The dynamical model demonstrated the utility of the defined SMCs in explaining visually guided categorization.

Conclusions:

• Formal definitions of SMCs enhance the conceptual clarity of the sensorimotor approach.
• These definitions facilitate more rigorous empirical and model-based testing of sensorimotor theories.
• The proposed framework advances the development and validation of embodied perception research.