[ACT-R-users] what does negative decay mean?

[Kelley, Troy D CIV (US)]

Coty,

We have used very fast decay rates for perceptual memories on our robot (using SS-RICS).  This is because the robot is perceiving so much information, so quickly, and we need to get rid of most of it as quickly as possible.  This also means that you need different activation equations for different memory types.  So we can set activation equations based on memory type.

We have also looked at using an equation that will reverse the activation..so activation in the negative direction.  We have been experimenting using this as an instantiation of negative reinforcement; so trying to get rid of a behavior based on punishment. This is in cases where we are using retrieval as the condition to execute a behavior (not utility).  This also helps to get around the problem of executing a goal over and over because the activation of a retrieval continues to rise.

Troy.


On 1/15/13 9:05 AM, "Cleotilde Gonzalez" <coty at cmu.edu> wrote:

ACT-R friends,
   During explorations of the decay parameter in the ACT-R activation equation, we have wondered if any body has ever used a negative value or even zero, or even something different from the .5 default value.   What would a negative value of decay mean?  just curiosity, I don't think we are going to go that far :-)

Coty

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Troy D. Kelley
RDRL-HRS-E
Cognitive Robotics and Modeling Team Leader
Human Research and Engineering Directorate
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Aberdeen, MD 21005
Phone 410-278-5869 or 410-278-6748
Note my new email address: troy.d.kelley6.civ at mail.mil
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