Cognition in motion: Functional internal models as an evolutionary scaffold in cognitive control

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• The evolution of cognition is a complex field with various theoretical frameworks.
• Existing theories often focus on sensory input, particularly vision, as the primary driver.
• An embodied cognition perspective offers an alternative lens to understand cognitive development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for cognitive evolution.
• To highlight the role of internal models within sensorimotor loops.
• To integrate embodied cognition principles with existing evolutionary accounts.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis based on embodied cognition principles.
• Examination of hierarchical, decentralized, and multimodal sensorimotor loops.
• Conceptual integration of internal models with adaptive behavior and higher cognition.

Main Results:

• Cognitive evolution is fundamentally linked to the development of distributed internal models.
• These internal models operate within complex sensorimotor loops.
• Internal models initially evolved for adaptive behaviors are repurposed for advanced cognitive tasks.

Conclusions:

• The development of internal models within sensorimotor loops is central to cognitive evolution.
• Embodied cognition provides a robust framework for understanding this process.
• This perspective offers a valuable complement to sensory-driven and vision-centric theories.