Humans are often able to generalize knowledge learned from a single exemplar. In this paper, we present a novel integration of mental simulation and analogical generalization algorithms into a cognitive robotic architecture that enables a similarly rudimentary generalization capability in robots. Specifically, we show how a robot can generate variations of a given scenario and then use the resu...

How does the brain represent the world? Sensory neuroscience has given us a detailed window into how the brain represents physical objects in our environment: For instance, the shape, color, and direction of motion of visual stimuli are represented in an orderly fashion in higher order visual cortices. But we also represent social objects: other people and their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings....

In this paper we develop three ideas for possible scenarios in future living environments. These ideas are based on technology which is present at the moment but may be deficient or not used in living environments. This paper focuses on showing possibilities, while knowing but neglecting actual practical problems. After introducing the potentials of physiological data, we present ideas for diff...

In this paper we present a computational approach to key aspects of understanding social interactions. First, we specify a class of problems – understanding fables – that require inference about agents’ mental states from their behavior. After this, we review earlier work on UMBRA, an abductive system for single-agent plan understanding, and describe extensions that let it deal with multiagent ...

Moral ideals are strongly ingrained within society and individuals alike, but actual moral choices are profoundly influenced by tangible rewards and consequences. Across two studies we show that real moral decisions can dramatically contradict moral choices made in hypothetical scenarios (Study 1). However, by systematically enhancing the contextual information available to subjects when addres...

Article history: Received 28 February 2014 Received in revised form 20 December 2015 Accepted 27 December 2015 Available online 10 March 2016 Emerging uncertainties present a challenge to decision making. On the basis of a review of existing scenario methods, we examine how ontological uncertainty, that is, the situation in which we do not know what we do not know, is included in scenario proce...

Implications of privatizing/deregulating alcohol retail sales: projections of alcohol consumption in Ontario. Her M, Giesbrecht N, Room R, Rehm J. Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. [email protected] PURPOSE: To project the consequences of privatizing or deregulating current alcohol retail monopolies in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: The projection is based on a multiplicat...

Recent developmental cognitive neuroscience research has supported the notion that puberty and adolescence are periods of profound socio-emotional development. The current study was designed to investigate whether the onset of puberty marks an increase in the awareness of complex, or "mixed," emotions. Eighty-three female participants (aged 9-16 years) were divided into three groups according t...

Suicidal and homicidal soldiers present one of the most frequent and challenging scenarios for deployed mental health providers. A chart review of 425 deployed soldiers seen for mental health reasons found that 127 (nearly 30%) had considered killing themselves and 67 (nearly 16%) had considered killing someone else (not the enemy) within the past month. Of these, 75 cases were considered sever...

Background: High-fidelity simulation recreates real-life situations in a safe learning environment and encourages critical thinking in students. Published research in simulation in psychiatric/mental health nursing is sparse. Methods: Four scenarios exemplifying drug or alcohol abuse utilizing the computerized, mannequin SimMan® were implemented. Students evaluated their learning experience fol...