Emotions as a dynamical system: the interplay between the meta-control and communication function of emotions

Abstract

Classical models of emotions consider either the communicational aspect of emotions (for instance the emotions conveyed by the facial expressions) or the second order control necessary for survival purpose when the autonomy of the system is an issue. Here, we show the interdependence of communication and meta-control aspects of emotion. We propose the idea that emotions must be understood as a dynamical system linking two controllers: one devoted to social interactions (i.e. communication aspects) and another one devoted to the interactions within the physical world (i.e metacontrol of a more classical controller). Illustrations will be provided from applications involving navigation among different goal places according to different internal drives or object grasping and avoidance.

Keywords

• meta-control
• navigation
• action selection
• emotional interactions
• interactive learning
• autonomous robotics