Simulate a toy Global Workspace model

simulate_global_workspace() models several competing processes. At each time step, processes receive input, compete for access, and the strongest process may cross an ignition threshold. When ignition occurs, the winning signal is treated as globally broadcast.

Usage

simulate_global_workspace(
  n_processes = 8,
  steps = 100,
  input_strength = NULL,
  noise = 0.1,
  ignition_threshold = 0.7,
  decay = 0.2,
  seed = NULL
)

Arguments

n_processes

Number of competing processes.

steps

Number of simulation time steps.

input_strength

Optional numeric vector of baseline input strengths.

noise

Amount of random fluctuation added at each step.

ignition_threshold

Activation level required for global broadcast.

decay

Proportion of previous activation lost at each step.

seed

Optional random seed.

Value

A data frame with one row per process per step.

Details

This function is inspired by Global Workspace Theory, but it is not a biological model and does not simulate real consciousness.

Examples

sim <- simulate_global_workspace(seed = 1)
head(sim)
#>   step process activation winner is_winner broadcast ignited
#> 1    1      P1  0.5175416     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE
#> 2    1      P2  0.4026213     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE
#> 3    1      P3  0.7278461     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE
#> 4    1      P4  0.8121581     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE
#> 5    1      P5  0.3688088     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE
#> 6    1      P6  0.5790204     P7     FALSE         0    TRUE