Development of Self-cognition through Imitation Behavior

We conducted a simulation experiment focused on the development mechanism of self-consciousness using a neural network structured by consciousness modules that we had developed called Module of Nerves for Advanced Dynamics (MoNAD), and succeeded in presenting a system relevant to the development of self-cognition and self-consciousness. This system can suppress, through learning, “imitation behavior as a result of the cognition of another” in response to a “behavior of avoiding pain after feeling the pain by oneself,” and can “formulate” the cognition of oneself. These study results may be highly suggestive of the development of self-consciousness. In this paper, we describe the theoretical basis for the development of the self-cognition of our system, and discuss the experiment and observations.