A Contrast‐Based Computational Model of Surprise and Its Applications. (19th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macedo, Luis; Cardoso, Amílcar
• Is Part Of: Topics in cognitive science. Volume 11:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-11-19
• Subjects: Surprise -- Computational models -- Artificial agents -- Exploration of unknown environments -- Creativity -- Selective attention; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Cognitive Science -- Periodicals; 153.05
• DOI: 10.1111/tops.12310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-8757

Abstract

Abstract: We review our work on a contrast‐based computational model of surprise and its applications. The review is contextualized within related research from psychology, philosophy, and particularly artificial intelligence. Influenced by psychological theories of surprise, the model assumes that surprise‐eliciting events initiate a series of cognitive processes that begin with the appraisal of the event as unexpected, continue with the interruption of ongoing activity and the focusing of attention on the unexpected event, and culminate in the analysis and evaluation of the event and the revision of beliefs. It is assumed that the intensity of surprise elicited by an event is a nonlinear function of the difference or contrast between the subjective probability of the event and that of the most probable alternative event (which is usually the expected event); and that the agent's behavior is partly controlled by actual and anticipated surprise. We describe applications of artificial agents that incorporate the proposed surprise model in three domains: the exploration of unknown environments, creativity, and intelligent transportation systems. These applications demonstrate the importance of surprise for decision making, active learning, creative reasoning, and selective attention. Abstract : This paper reviews computational models of surprise, with a specific focus on the authors' probabilistic, contrast model. The contrast model casts surprise, and its intensity, as emerging from the difference between the probability of the surprising event and the probability of the highest expected‐event in a given situation. Strong arguments are made for the central role of surprise in creativity and learning by natural and artificial agents.