Title: Modeling Memory Associativity in Psychology and the Relation to Generalized Statistical Mechanics

Speaker: Roseli Wedemann

Abstract: 
We will present a review of our modelling efforts, where we have described mental pathology considering its relation to memory function, and proposed neural network mechanisms whereby neurotic behavior is described as an associative memory process in the brain. In our model, modules corresponding to sensorial and symbolic memories interact, representing unconscious and conscious mental processes. We initially modelled associative memory by a Boltzmann Machine (BM). The observed q-exponential and asymptotic, power-law behavior for the node-degree distributions of the self-organized network topologies generated by our model suggest that memory dynamics and associativity may not be well described by Boltzmann-Gibbs (BG) statistical mechanics. We thus modeled the dynamics of memory access by a generalization of the BM called Generalized Simulated Annealing (GSA), derived from the nonextensive statistical mechanical formalism. Results obtained from simulations and fMRI measurements indicate that the nonextensive statistical mechanics formalism may be more appropriate to model many complex networks that constitute brain and mental structure, than the approaches based on traditional Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics. With our network model, we illustrate how Freud’s ideas regarding the unconscious show that symbolic processing, language and meaning are essential for consciousness. We also highlight that concepts and theoretical tools from the generalized statistical mechanics formalism may be crucial for current efforts to explain and model brain and mental functioning. Knowledge from areas such as neurophysiology, psychiatry, psychology, computer science, mathematics and statistical mechanics can be combined, so that we can better understand mechanisms that underlie brain and mental processes. This knowledge may contribute to the understanding of therapeutic procedures for the treatment of mental pathologies, as well as to the development of models of artificial intelligence and consciousness in machines.

Zoom link: https://univ-amu-fr.zoom.us/j/86932285282?pwd=bjRWQ3ozd0ZiNFJOS2ZWSGlzcDFNdz09  

Aix-Marseille Université
INS - Faculté de Médecine, 27, Boulevard Jean Moulin
Marseille, 13005, France