Evolution of valence systems in an unstable environment

Abstract

We compare the performance of drive- versus perception-based motivational systems in an unstable environment. We investigate the hypothesis that valence systems (systems that evaluate positive and negative nature of events) that are based on internal physiology will have an advantage over systems that are based purely on external sensory input. Results show that inclusion of internal drive levels in valence system input significantly improves performance. Furthermore, a valence system based purely on internal drives outperforms a system that is additionally based on perceptual input. We provide arguments for why this is so and relate our architecture to brain areas involved in animal learning. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.