A neural theory of cognitive development

A physiologically based model of the neocortex has been developed in an attempt to elucidate possible structural and functional mechanisms of the mammalian cortex and account for a wide range of low level cognitive behavior. The model has been constrained by diverse empirical data. At the level of structural details, neuroanatomical and neurophysiological data have been considered and at the level of gross behavior, psychological data has been used. From the theory that groups of reverberating neurons provide a short term memory mechanism and that primary drive reduction triggers consolidation of a memory, a mechanism for selective learning has been developed. Fundamental to the model is the postulate of a novelty drive mechanism that functions in a manner analogous to the more widely accepted primary drives (e.g. hunger and fear). This paper examines the novelty drive mechanism and demonstrates its utility in accounting for a wide range of habituation behaviors. The success of the model is evaluated by comparing its behavior to appropriate empirical data. Finally, it is argued that a computer program is both a theory and a model, and that important advantages accrue from such a viewpoint.