Deconstructing and reconstructing ACT-R: Exploring the architectural space

  • Authors:
  • Terrence C. Stewart;Robert L. West

  • Affiliations:
  • Carleton Cognitive Modelling Lab, Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6;Carleton Cognitive Modelling Lab, Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6

  • Venue:
  • Cognitive Systems Research
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

Evaluating variations in the structure of computational models of cognition is as important as evaluating variations in the numerical parameters of such models. However, computational models tend not to be organized in such a way as to directly support such research. To address this need, we have taken the well-known cognitive architecture ACT-R, reduced it to its fundamental components, and reconstructed it. Our new system, Python ACT-R, facilitates exploration of the space of possible models and architectures based on the core ACT-R theory. The result has enabled us to examine the possibility of using basic ACT-R components such as the declarative memory system in new ways; for example, as the basis for a new visual attention system. Python ACT-R allows the same model definition syntax to be used to define both ACT-R models and new ACT-R components, as well as making explicit the processes specified by the ACT-R theory.