Basic principles of the dynamic approach to behavior

Abstract

The interpretation of the neural field theory that is presented in this book has been developed by SCHöNER in the context of the dynamic approach to behavior (e.g. [44, 169]). This is an approach for the description and analysis of behavior that has been developed in investigation of motor coordination by KELSO, SCHÖNER, HAKEN, and others (e.g. [80, 170, 172], see [101] for a more detailed introduction). The central idea of the dynamic approach is that behavior can be mapped onto stable solutions of dynamical systems. It is assumed that dynamical systems provide a compact description of behaving systems that is more invariant than a description that is based on individual behavioral patterns. Dynamical systems permit, therefore, to capture properties that are common to multiple behaviors. In this way, they account for the organization of multiple behavioral patterns in biological organisms. This chapter gives an introduction in some fundamental concepts of the dynamic approach that are relevant as basis for the neural field theory. The presentation follows the basic ideas in SCHÖNER and KELSO [172].