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NeuroQuantology

Quantum-like Cognition from Multiplicity of Time Scales in the Brain

Andrei Yu. Khrennikov

Published Jul 26, 2008• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The majority of quantum models of cognition are based on quantum physical reductionism. Since the brain is composed of quantum systems, one might try to use QM (as a physical theory) to describe such quantum-like features of mind as complementarity (which was well established in psychology long before creation of QM), interference of minds and recently even nonlocality (under the influence of the EPR-Bohr debate and recent results on Bell's inequality). Opposite to the traditional quantum reductionism, we present a quantum-like model of the brain functioning which is not related to the evident fact that the brain is composed of quantum systems. In our model the quantum-like brain is described by the mathematical formalism of QM. However, quantum-like features are generated on the macrolevel - from processing of information on two time scales: precognitive (the quick one) and cognitive (the slow one). Our basic postulate is that the brain operates with averages (encoding mental quantities - images, emotions, minds) of stochastic processes evolving on the precognitive scale and that these averages are computed approximately by using the mathematical formalism of QM.

DOI
10.14704/nq.2008.6.4.190

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The majority of quantum models of cognition are based on quantum physical reductionism. Since the brain is composed of quantum systems, one might try to use QM (as a physical theory) to describe such quantum-like features of mind as complementarity (which was well established in psychology long before creation of QM), interference of minds and recently even nonlocality (under the influence of the EPR-Bohr debate and recent results on Bell's inequality). Opposite to the traditional quantum reductionism, we present a quantum-like model of the brain functioning which is not related to the evident fact that the brain is composed of quantum systems. In our model the quantum-like brain is described by the mathematical formalism of QM. However, quantum-like features are generated on the macrolevel - from processing of information on two time scales: precognitive (the quick one) and cognitive (the slow one). Our basic postulate is that the brain operates with averages (encoding mental quantities - images, emotions, minds) of stochastic processes evolving on the precognitive scale and that these averages are computed approximately by using the mathematical formalism of QM.
We propose a {\it quantum-like} (QL) model of the functioning of the brain. It should be sharply distinguished from the reductionist {\it quantum} model. By the latter cognition is created by {\it physical quantum processes} in the brain. The crucial point of our modelling is that discovery of the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics (QM) was in fact discovery of a very general formalism describing {\it consistent processing of incomplete information} about contexts (physical, mental, economic, social). The brain is an advanced device which developed the ability to create a QL representation of contexts. Therefore its functioning can also be described by the mathematical formalism of QM. The possibility of such a description has nothing to do with composing of the brain of quantum systems (photons, electrons, protons,...). Moreover, we shall propose a model in that the QL representation is based on conventional neurophysiological model of the functioning of the brain. The brain uses the QL rule (given by von Neumann trace formula) for calculation of {\it approximative averages} for mental functions, but the physical basis of mental functions is given by neural networks in the brain. The QL representation has a {\it temporal basis.} Any cognitive process is based on (at least) two time scales: subcognitive time scale (which is very fine) and cognitive time scale (which is essentially coarser).
We propose a model of processing of information in the brain which has the following distinguishing features: a). It is quantum-like (QL). The brain uses the quantum rule (given by von Neumann trace formula) for calculation of averages for psychological functions. b). Those functions are considered as self-observations of the brain. c). The QL-representation has the temporal basis. The brain is a machine transferring time into cognition. d). Any cognitive process is based on (at least) two time scales: precognitive time scale (which is very fine) and cognitive time scale (which is essentially coarser). To couple our model to physiology, behavioral science, and psychology, we consider a number of known fundamental time scales in the brain. Although the elaboration of those scales was based on advanced experimental research, there are still many controversial approaches and results. The temporal structure of the brain functioning is very complex.
We present a contextualist statistical realistic model for quantum-like representations in physics, cognitive science and psychology. We apply this model to describe cognitive experiments to check quantum-like structures of mental processes. The crucial role is played by interference of probabilities for mental observables. Recently one of such experiments based on recognition of images was performed. This experiment confirmed our prediction on quantum-like behaviour of mind. In our approach ``quantumness of mind'' has no direct relation to the fact that the brain (as any physical body) is composed of quantum particles. We invented a new terminology ``quantum-like (QL) mind.'' Cognitive QL-behaviour is characterized by nonzero coefficient of interference λ.λ.λ. This coefficient can be found on the basis of statistical data. There is predicted not only cos⁡θ\cos θcosθ-interference of probabilities, but also hyperbolic cosh⁡θ\cosh θcoshθ-interference. This interference was never observed for physical systems, but we could not exclude this possibility for cognitive systems. We propose a model of brain functioning as QL-computer (there is discussed difference between quantum and QL computers).
We discuss the conjecture on quantum-like (QL) processing of information in the brain. It is not based on the physical quantum brain (e.g., Penrose) - quantum physical carriers of information. In our approach the brain created the QL representation (QLR) of information in Hilbert space. It uses quantum information rules in decision making. The existence of such QLR was (at least preliminary) confirmed by experimental data from cognitive psychology; in particular, experiments on recognition of ambiguous figures (Conte et al., 2006; 2009). The violation of the law of total probability in these experiments is an important sign of nonclassicality of data. In this paper we speculate on a possible physical realization of QLR in the brain: a classical wave model producing QLR . It is based on variety of time scales in the brain. Each pair of scales (fine - the background fluctuations of electromagnetic field and rough - the cognitive image scale) induces the QL representation. The background field plays the crucial role in creation of “superstrong QL correlations” in the brain.
Neuroscience has realized valuable advances.As example, it has identified brain regions performing learning, memory, feeling and still more.The current tendency in neuroscience retains that adding pieces of knowledge day by day, we will finally arrive to an unified understanding of brain including the manner in which mind and consciousness arise and explain their functions.Also a number of empirical psychological results have been collected.However a profound gap remains between neuroscience advances and empirical psychological data .We retain that such existing gap is due to a missing theoretical model linking neuroscience to psychology .We have arrived to formulate a basic theoretical quantum model particularly of the perceptive -cognitive functions.The result is that quantum mechanics has a decisive role in human cognition.Our quantum model relates directly our mind entities.The model also finds the existing correlations between the brain time dynamics operating without direct awareness and the subsequent behaviour that is induced determining our subsequent behaviours.In the present paper we discuss in detail and for the first time such further basic features of the model.We perform one experiment on priming showing that its results agree with the given quantum mechanical basic model.
We present the quantum-like model of information processing by the brain’s neural networks. The model does not refer to genuine quantum processes in the brain. In this model, uncertainty generated by the action potential of a neuron is represented as quantum-like superposition of the basic mental states corresponding to a neural code. Neuron’s state space is described as complex Hilbert space (quantum information representation). The brain’s psychological functions perform self-measurements by extracting concrete answers to questions (solutions of problems) from quantum information states. This extraction is modeled in the framework of open quantum systems theory. In this way, it is possible to proceed without appealing to the state’s collapse. Dynamics of the state of psychological function F is described by the quantum master equation. Its stationary states represent classical statistical mixtures of possible outputs of F (decisions). This model can be used for justification of quantum-like modeling cognition and decision-making. The latter is supported by plenty of statistical data collected in cognitive psychology.