Each module implements a specific cognitive mechanism grounded in peer-reviewed neuroscience. Organized into five architectural phases.
Core perceptual and memory systems that form the substrate for all higher cognition.
Hierarchical prediction error minimization following Karl Friston's free-energy principle. Generates top-down predictions and computes bottom-up prediction errors across cortical layers.
Based on: Friston (2010), Rao & Ballard (1999)
Four-store memory architecture: episodic memory (hippocampus-inspired), semantic memory (cortical networks), procedural memory (basal ganglia), and working memory (prefrontal buffer).
Based on: Tulving (1985), Baddeley (2000)
Capacity-limited active maintenance buffer implementing the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive. Supports chunking and attentional refresh.
Based on: Baddeley & Hitch (1974)
Skill and habit learning through reinforcement. Stores action sequences as compiled productions that execute automatically with practice.
Based on: Anderson (1982), Squire (2004)
Multi-modal sensory processing with hierarchical feature extraction. Integrates top-down predictions with bottom-up sensory signals to construct perceptual representations.
Based on: Marr (1982), Helmholtz (1867)
Higher-order thinking, reasoning, and executive control mechanisms.
System 1 (fast, intuitive, automatic) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, effortful) thinking with dynamic switching based on task demands, novelty detection, and cognitive load.
Based on: Kahneman (2011), Evans (2003)
Cognitive control including task switching, inhibitory control, and working memory updating. Coordinates other modules and resolves conflicts between competing processes.
Based on: Miyake et al. (2000), Miller & Cohen (2001)
Multi-criteria decision evaluation using expected utility, prospect theory weighting, and satisficing. Integrates emotional valence through somatic markers.
Based on: Damasio (1994), Tversky & Kahneman (1992)
Selective, sustained, and divided attention mechanisms. Implements both bottom-up salience-driven and top-down goal-directed attention with competition resolution.
Based on: Posner & Petersen (1990), Desimone & Duncan (1995)
Deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning engines. Supports logical inference, probabilistic reasoning, and analogical mapping across domains.
Based on: Johnson-Laird (1983), Gentner (1983)
Drives, emotions, and self-monitoring that guide behavior and learning.
Information-gap detection and intrinsic motivation to explore. Balances novelty-seeking with information gain optimization using prediction error as a reward signal.
Based on: Berlyne (1960), Loewenstein (1994)
Dimensional emotion modeling (valence, arousal, dominance) with somatic markers that bias cognition. Implements basic emotions, mood states, and affective forecasting.
Based on: Damasio (1994), Russell (2003)
Recursive self-modeling with metacognitive monitoring. Tracks confidence, detects errors, and adjusts cognitive strategies. Maintains a dynamic self-model.
Based on: Flavell (1979), Fleming et al. (2012)
Hierarchical goal decomposition, prioritization, and progress monitoring. Manages goal conflicts, subgoal generation, and dynamic reprioritization based on context.
Based on: Carver & Scheier (1998), Austin & Vancouver (1996)
Drive system integrating homeostatic needs, incentive salience, and intrinsic motivation. Computes motivational intensity and direction for behavior selection.
Based on: Hull (1943), Berridge (2004)
Language, social cognition, and embodiment systems that connect internal cognition to the external world.
Natural language processing including parsing, semantic interpretation, pragmatic reasoning, and generation. Supports context-dependent meaning construction.
Based on: Chomsky (1957), Tomasello (2003)
Social norm understanding, reputation tracking, and cooperative behavior modeling. Enables navigation of social environments and group dynamics.
Based on: Tomasello (2009), Dunbar (1998)
Sensorimotor grounding of abstract concepts. Maintains body schema representations and couples cognition with simulated environmental interaction.
Based on: Barsalou (1999), Clark (1997)
Mental state attribution for modeling beliefs, desires, and intentions of other agents. Supports perspective-taking and strategic social reasoning.
Based on: Premack & Woodruff (1978), Baron-Cohen (1995)
Higher-order cognitive capabilities including creativity, temporal reasoning, and memory consolidation.
Divergent thought generation through conceptual blending, analogical mapping, and constraint relaxation. Evaluates novelty and usefulness of generated ideas.
Based on: Fauconnier & Turner (2002), Boden (2004)
Offline memory replay and synaptic homeostasis simulation. Consolidates episodic memories into semantic knowledge and prunes weak connections.
Based on: Tononi & Cirelli (2006), Diekelmann & Born (2010)
Internal clock mechanisms for duration estimation, temporal ordering, and prospective time management. Supports planning over multiple time horizons.
Based on: Treisman (1963), Block & Zakay (1997)
Cross-domain mapping and integration of mental spaces to generate novel conceptual structures. Enables metaphorical thinking and creative problem solving.
Based on: Fauconnier & Turner (2002), Koestler (1964)
Watch how all 17 modules interact in real-time cognitive simulations.