A Biologically Plausible Neuron Model of Mental Rotation

This thesis presents a biologically plausible account of mental rotation. To this end, there is evidence that mental rotation is a spatial imagery task that can invoke a variety of strategies, depending on the nature of the stimuli. This thesis uses simple but unfamiliar stimuli, which engenders a continuous, whole-unit rotation. The model is comprised of 43,000 simulated neurons spread across a variety of neuron ensembles. These ensembles work together to form a neuronal representation of the spatial map entailed by the stimuli, then rotates that spatial map into a series of new orientations according to simulated movement along an intended axis of rotation. Two sets of simulations were run: one focusing on the biological accuracy of spatial maps, with the second focusing on the biological accuracy of neurons. Overall, both sets of simulations were able to re-produce the reaction times found in behavioural studies of mental rotation

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Cognitive Science (M.Cog.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Cognitive Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Riley, Sean

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2018 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2018-13292

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/39033