Theory of Mind A Computational Modelling Platform

Ruiqiong Zhong1, Khaled Bizri2

Abstract
An outline of The Theory of Mind (TM) (Bizri, 2017) and its modeling of learning processes is
presented. Details of its framework and discussion of its fundamental components, Stimuli, Events
and Models is elaborated. A description of the reduction of Stimuli into structured Events and the
development of Models is described. The capture, update, storage and recall of the Events and the
Models is used to outline the algorithms usable for the construction of the infrastructure for machine
learning.

The framework adopts the findings in Neuroscience, particularly Cognitive Neuroscience. Such
correspondence is briefly reviewed are outlines, with emphasis on the next stage of development
dealing with Reductions and Abstractions. Further, TM is seen as a contribution to Learning Theories
and a review of the extension it offers in that respect is made.

The underlying mathematical foundation rests on Abstract Algebraic concepts and Set Theory
enhancing the extensibility of the computing model and imparting processing standards and speed
enhancement for calculation and rapid upgrades of the learning machine.

The Meta-Model
The minds activity is considered to be the result of reactions to Stimuli, both, generated within the
mind and perceived from the external world.

Each Stimulus is reduced to a recallable Event possessing properties encapsulated in an Event

Environment with its own parameters and a set of Event Characteristics. Event Adaptation Nodes are
used to accommodate variations in the values and qualities of the Events Environment and its
Characteristics making it reusable as is observed in the behavior of mind, without affecting its
consistency. The recall of an event relies on Event Descriptors extracted from its properties. These
occupy different locations in the different levels of memory of mammals.

Events may be Initial or Secondary. An Initial Event defines through its Environment and
Characteristics the choice and adaptability of an existing Model or the foundation for a new one.

1 Information School, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Quangzhou, China.

2 Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America.

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Secondary Events may differ in their set Environment but do accommodate the Model Environment
through their Adaptation Nodes.

A set of chained Events make up a Model. A Model possesses its own higher order Model Environment
and Model Descriptors which are used in recalling the model. The Model Adaptation Nodes permit
changes in the values of the Model Descriptors without necessarily affecting its content selection and
application of the model and its content and leading to what is perceived to be a more precise
selection and application of the Model in reacting to Stimuli.

The Events and Models are not static. They are updated by different stimuli and analytical reasoning
throughout the life of a mammalian mind. This is a part of further work on TM.

The properties of Events and Models are subject to change based on ratings associated with each
property, extracted from a Retention Model which defines variables such as Relevance, Timed and
Durable. The properties of the Retention Model are themselves altered, as indeed happens in the
normal life of the mind.

The ratings are stored in Dominant Models used to influence the semantics of the ordinary Events
and Models.

TM and Cognitive Neuroscience

This structural outline defines the framework of TM - A basic framework designed to permit its
inevitable extensions to cater for more complex processes in learning. It is consistent with current
findings in Neuroscience, particularly Cognitive Neuroscience.

Accordingly, memory which plays the central part in our work, is brought into play not through a
conscious recollection. Past events are remembered whenever they can influence our behavior at the
present time through affecting the behavior of neurons and other dynamic biological variables.

Cognitive Neuroscience recognizes different types of memory in terms of the residence duration of
the pertinent data Short, Long and Working memories are almost the standard perception of the
storage mechanisms in a mammalian brain (Fusi and Wang, 2016).

Our work simulates the typical behavior of the brain in possessing information to be consciously
searched and information presented as unconscious stimulus the Implicit and Explicit memories in
Cognitive Neuroscience.

To that end, we deploy two types of memories (Atkinson and Shirfin, 1968). A short memory and a
long memory referred to as the Recess Store. In addition, we replace the sensory repository in the
work of Atkinson and Shirfin with multi-sourced stimuli internally-generated as well as externally-
perceived to reduce the abstraction of the term into practical and concrete effects in the computing
structure.

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TM and Learning Theories
TM is considered as a platform for inquiry and investigation in areas beyond machine learning. One
of which is providing learning theories with a bridge which links them more directly with research
and finding in various branches of Neuroscience in what applies to the prototyping and understanding
the behavior of a mammalian mind.

Learning Theories (Schunk, 2012) attempt to provide conceptual frameworks for knowledge transfer.
There are at times backed by some experimental data but many are still based on assumptions and
experiences that date to many thousands of years in the life of mammals. Rot-Learning is a case in
point still practiced in one form or another.

Of the current Learning Theories, we recognize Constructivism which adopts a more integrative
approach to the process of learning (Richardson, 2007). It is noted that it shares with most other
learning theories the domain of the initiation rather than the reception and processing of sensory
data which occur essentially outside the mind. That despite dismissal of Behaviorism in the case of
Cognitive and Social Constructivism.

In contrast, TM handles the stimulus as it is perceived, irrespective of its causes, as speculated in

learning theories, including the Constructivists. In this sense, TM platform provides the bridge linking
learning theories with the internal processes of the mind.

Machine Processes
The machine process is supported by a Properties Dictionary which include entries for several
categories of items derived from the declared properties of the Events and the Models. We Note that
some of these entries refer Dominant Events and Dominant Models, endow the semantic values on
lesser Events and the Models.

The dictionary is used as the fundamental search library for extraction, generation and updates of
Events and Model in the various repositories.

A Properties Search Engine is customized and deployed to perform the searches in the Properties
Dictionary and capture of relevant Events and Models on Search Patterns setup by the Stimulus
Processor.

Process Stages
The machine process proceeds as follows:

1.A Stimulus is received and processed to determine its properties and a search pattern is constructed
and submitted to the Search Engine.

The search is performed in two stages. The first is the result of the initial search of the Properties
Dictionary in a set which may me null or includes subsets of compatible responses which may include
Events.

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The second stage handles both the case of a null set as well as when a set populated by subsets of
existing Events. In the first case, new Event record is created subject to the constraints of the
Dominant Models, if any.

If the set is not empty, the optimally compatible Event is selected based on the Stimulus properties
and the permissible variations in the properties of the selected Event, subject to the constraints of
the Dominant Models, if any.

2. If the Event is a new Event, it is fashioned in the format of the standard Event and stored in short
memory, and the Properties Dictionary is appropriately updated. Otherwise, the Event is used to
access associated Models which sustain it.

The set of selected Models, which must have an order of at least one, is retained in short memory
pending he arrival of further Events.

3. The Event is used to find a model. The model is then used to generate dispatch a signal to the brain
of the next step, which is bounced back to the model for the subsequent step.

If an external stimulus was received, it is processed as described above in Stage 1, but the resulting
event is compared with the model in hand to detect whether it is still a part of the model itself. If it
is, then processing proceeds to the next Event but one, as in 3.

Otherwise, a new Model is constructed which includes all the previous and subsequent Events and
the existing Model is retained for analysis and probable synthesis later.

This last process accords as well with the treatment of long-lasting Stimulus flow referred to as long-
lasting experience. We observe in our meta-model even the incorporation of inaccuracies arising
from either poor recording or perception of an Events in a Model (McGaugh 1966).

In Figure 1 we depict this process in its sequence diagram.

Figure 1. Process Sequence Diagram.

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There is little to gain by segmenting the memory of the computing device into short- and working-
memories, although the use of Silicon Discs in the future may relegate the short-memory to such
internal computing devices in an attempt to replicate proportionately the access times in the mind
and in the computing devices.

The algorithmic flow in the Table 1, related to accessing a meeting room, which in this case is already
in the Main Memory, is depicted reflecting the results of the sequences outlined above for an existing
Event:

Stimulus Stimulus Type Properties Search Model Sequence

Accessing the Internal Location Principal Event Model found Predetermined
meeting room found from a from a by the Events in
previous access previous the Model
access
Table 1. Algorithmic flow of a sample Stimulus

Event and Model Storage

In the following we outline the tools used to affect the processing described above in terms.

Computing Tools
The Event record is maintained in the Short Memory using standard memory storage technologies
such as Memcached, TimesTen or Redis. Both, memory overflow and other considerations discussed
below, forces the transfer of an event to the Secondary Memory. The process involves adjustments
of links and indices to associated data structures which links the Properties Dictionary, the Events and
their associated Models.

Secondary storage is provided by a database management system, in this case a MongoDB, a NoSQL
data store, were as the Properties Dictionary is stored at the moment in the Short-Memory, but is
destined to be segmented in accordance with the Dominant Models constraints.

An Apache Solr Search engine has been adapted and customized to address the specific search needs
imposed by the specifics of the problem.

The Architecture of the Computing Representation

In its simpler form, the architecture of the computing model consists of storage locations for the
events, the receded events and their associated Model Index tables. This is depicted in Figure 3.

The dominant Properties Dictionary is linked to both the Primary Memory and the Secondary Memory
through object association. Further, the Events are similarly linked to the Models which they
populate.

This depicts the processing pattern argued above, which begins with the Properties Dictionary and
ends in the recall or deposition of a new set of Events and a new Model

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 Figure 3. The Schematic of the Architecture of MT.

Summary
Breaking up the impact of sensory and internally generated stimuli on the mind in terms of extensible
computing model acting as a platform for further work was achieved leading to demonstrations of
the appropriateness and efficacy of the construct.

Experiments are continuing to introduce and validate the compatibility of TM with established
Cognitive Neuroscience findings and draw comparisons with prevalent Learning Theories and their
derivatives.

The result of the implementation of MT presents a platform capable of several extensions in diverse
branches in the investigation of the mind and its interaction with the external world, ranging from
Theoretical Neuroscience to Cognitive Theories in Psychology onto refinement of Learning Theories,
particularly the Constructivist approach predominant in current research efforts.

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