A Brain-Inspired Model of Theory of Mind

Zeng, Yi; Zhao, Yuxuan; Zhang, Tielin; Zhao, Dongcheng; Zhao, Feifei; Lu, Enmeng

doi:10.3389/fnbot.2020.00060

Cited by 25 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…Zeng et al ( 2020 )'s study proposed a brain-inspired ToM model, which distinguishes the perspectives of self and others and beliefs of self and others. The model enables robots to pass the false beliefs task and has solid biological interpretability.…”

Section: Related Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Brain-Inspired Theory of Mind Spiking Neural Network for Reducing Safety Risks of Other Agents

Zhao

et al. 2022

Front. Neurosci.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly applied to complex tasks that involve interaction with multiple agents. Such interaction-based systems can lead to safety risks. Due to limited perception and prior knowledge, agents acting in the real world may unconsciously hold false beliefs and strategies about their environment, leading to safety risks in their future decisions. For humans, we can usually rely on the high-level theory of mind (ToM) capability to perceive the mental states of others, identify risk-inducing errors, and offer our timely help to keep others away from dangerous situations. Inspired by the biological information processing mechanism of ToM, we propose a brain-inspired theory of mind spiking neural network (ToM-SNN) model to enable agents to perceive such risk-inducing errors inside others' mental states and make decisions to help others when necessary. The ToM-SNN model incorporates the multiple brain areas coordination mechanisms and biologically realistic spiking neural networks (SNNs) trained with Reward-modulated Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (R-STDP). To verify the effectiveness of the ToM-SNN model, we conducted various experiments in the gridworld environments with random agents' starting positions and random blocking walls. Experimental results demonstrate that the agent with the ToM-SNN model selects rescue behavior to help others avoid safety risks based on self-experience and prior knowledge. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides a new perspective to explore how agents help others avoid potential risks based on bio-inspired ToM mechanisms and may contribute more inspiration toward better research on safety risks.

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Section: Related Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The output of each submodule is interpretable. We embedded the model into an agent and focused on the problem of how to use the ToM-SNN model to reduce safety risks based on self-experience (Zeng et al, 2020 ) as well as prior knowledge of others acquired through direct interaction (Koster-Hale and Saxe, 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Brain-Inspired Theory of Mind Spiking Neural Network for Reducing Safety Risks of Other Agents

Zhao

et al. 2022

Front. Neurosci.

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“…ToM is thought to be mediated by a distributed cortical network of frontal and posterior cortical regions, including the middle prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the inferior parietal lobe, the posterior and anterior cingulate cortex (PCC, ACC), as well as the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), the amygdala and the superior temporal sulcus (STS) [4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Hub and Spoke Regions in Theory of Mind in Early Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia

et al. 2022

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Theory of mind (ToM, the ability to attribute mental states to others) deficit is a frequent finding in neurodegenerative conditions, mediated by a diffuse brain network confirmed by 18F-FDG-PET and MR imaging, involving frontal, temporal and parietal areas. However, the role of hubs and spokes network regions in ToM performance, and their respective damage, is still unclear. To study this mechanism, we combined ToM testing with brain 18F-FDG-PET imaging in 25 subjects with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (MCI–AD), 24 subjects with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and 40 controls. Regions included in the ToM network were divided into hubs and spokes based on their structural connectivity and distribution of hypometabolism. The hubs of the ToM network were identified in frontal regions in both bvFTD and MCI–AD patients. A mediation analysis revealed that the impact of spokes damage on ToM performance was mediated by the integrity of hubs (p < 0.001), while the impact of hubs damage on ToM performance was independent from the integrity of spokes (p < 0.001). Our findings support the theory that a key role is played by the hubs in ToM deficits, suggesting that hubs could represent a final common pathway leading from the damage of spoke regions to clinical deficits.

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“…The Theory of Mind (ToM) has explained the idea that the meta representation ability of mental states in a specific neural circuitry depends on a domain-specific cognitive subsystem: a Theory of Mind Module (Gerrans and Stone 2008). In simple terms, the ToM is the ability to understand the difference of mental status from oneself to others (Zeng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introduction To the Mind Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assembly of Neuroscience to the model of mind

Liyanage¹

2022

Preprint

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Currently, there are several mind models developed as cognitive architectures and their main focus is to explain mind functions. However, few architectures explain the neural basis of the mind. Also, neuroscience explains the neural basis of the brain and is directly related to the mind. The study objective was to identify a mind model with a neural basis established in the model. Therefore, the study uses a systematic review of existing literature to find a mental model with a neural basis. There are 300 articles identified in searching databases of PUBMED and Google Scholar. After duplicated removal, initial screening was done using an independent reviewer and remaining full-text articles were submitted to eligibility assessment. From the assessed full-text articles, 9 full-text articles were selected for synthesis. From those selected architectures, considering the richness of mental functions and richness of neurological assemblies, features of the architectures op of ACT-R (Adaptive control of thoughts – Rational) cognitive architecture, Leabra cognitive architecture and an embodied cognitive-affective architecture select for inclusion in the final model. The central structure of the mind is the amygdala. It gets sensory inputs through the sensory cortex and external stimuli through the thalamus. It processes those inputs using working memory as mPFC and dLPFC. After processing, the amygdala provides output as behavior. Also, brain structures of the partial cortex, cortex, para hippo cortex, perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex, subiculum, dentate gyrus, CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus are used for memory encoding, memory retrieval, and critical learning. Overall, the posterior cortex processes the sensory and semantic information. The hippocampus works as episodic memory. The frontal cortex works as active maintenance of the thinking process. The basal ganglia works as action selection and the main part of the thinking process. This reveals the mind model with neurological circuit assemblies to it. The final model will limit to features of the currently existing literature.

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A Brain-Inspired Model of Theory of Mind

Cited by 25 publications

References 55 publications

A Brain-Inspired Theory of Mind Spiking Neural Network for Reducing Safety Risks of Other Agents

A Brain-Inspired Theory of Mind Spiking Neural Network for Reducing Safety Risks of Other Agents

The Role of Hub and Spoke Regions in Theory of Mind in Early Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia

Assembly of Neuroscience to the model of mind

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