Life-Space Foam: a Medium for Motivational and Cognitive Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces life-space foam (LSF), a stochastic framework based on Feynman path integrals, to model motivational and cognitive dynamics at macro and micro levels, capturing fluctuating force-fields and paths.

Contribution

It develops a novel LSF formalism combining macro smooth manifolds with micro fluctuating structures using least-action principles and adaptive path integrals.

Findings

LSF models motivational fatigue and learning processes.

Micro-level LSF captures fluctuating force-fields and paths.

Application examples include decision-making and memory.

Abstract

General stochastic dynamics, developed in a framework of Feynman path integrals, have been applied to Lewinian field--theoretic psychodynamics, resulting in the development of a new concept of life--space foam (LSF) as a natural medium for motivational and cognitive psychodynamics. According to LSF formalisms, the classic Lewinian life space can be macroscopically represented as a smooth manifold with steady force-fields and behavioral paths, while at the microscopic level it is more realistically represented as a collection of wildly fluctuating force-fields, (loco)motion paths and local geometries (and topologies with holes). A set of least-action principles is used to model the smoothness of global, macro-level LSF paths, fields and geometry. To model the corresponding local, micro-level LSF structures, an adaptive path integral is used, defining a multi-phase and multi-path (multi-field and multi-geometry) transition process from intention to goal-driven action. Application examples of this new approach include (but are not limited to) information processing, motivational fatigue, learning, memory and decision-making.