Quantum Models of Cognition and Decision

Introduces principles drawn from quantum theory to present a new framework for modeling human cognition and decision.

Jerome R. Busemeyer (Author), Peter D. Bruza (Author)

9781107011991, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 July 2012

419 pages, 54 b/w illus. 20 tables
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm, 0.76 kg

'This is the first book putting forward the main scientific results of an intriguing and promising new research domain called 'quantum cognition'. In this emergent field, the mathematical structure of quantum theory is employed to model essential aspects of human cognition impossible to be modelled properly within classical approaches. The authors are both engaged intensively in quantum cognition and [have written] a high-quality and well-understandable treatise showing how this new approach carries the potential of a real breakthrough, with deep implications for how cognition will be looked upon in the decades to come. The approach may also signify a thorough new opening to the old problem of artificial intelligence and the structuring of semantics.' Diederik Aerts, Brussels Free University

Much of our understanding of human thinking is based on probabilistic models. This innovative book by Jerome R. Busemeyer and Peter D. Bruza argues that, actually, the underlying mathematical structures from quantum theory provide a much better account of human thinking than traditional models. They introduce the foundations for modeling probabilistic-dynamic systems using two aspects of quantum theory. The first, 'contextuality', is a way to understand interference effects found with inferences and decisions under conditions of uncertainty. The second, 'quantum entanglement', allows cognitive phenomena to be modeled in non-reductionist ways. Employing these principles drawn from quantum theory allows us to view human cognition and decision in a totally new light. Introducing the basic principles in an easy-to-follow way, this book does not assume a physics background or a quantum brain and comes complete with a tutorial and fully worked-out applications in important areas of cognition and decision.

1. Why use quantum theory for cognition and decision? Some compelling reasons
2. What is quantum theory? An elementary introduction
3. What can quantum theory predict? Predicting question order effects on attitudes
4. How to apply quantum theory? Accounting for human probability judgment errors
5. Quantum inspired models of concept combination
6. An application of quantum theory to conjoint memory recognition
7. Quantum-like models of human semantic space
8. What about quantum dynamics? More advanced principles
9. What is the quantum advantage? Applications to decision making
10. How to model human information processing using quantum information theory
11. Can quantum systems learn? Quantum updating
12. What are the future prospects for quantum cognition and decision?

Subject Areas: Computer science [UY], Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ], Behavioural economics [KCK], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Decision theory: general [GPQ]