Between Downward Spirals and Habituation: Emotion Intensity in Virtual Agents' Memory Retrieval [PDF]

Abstract_ In the present article a model for memory retrieval of personal experiences for virtual agents is presented. It builds upon previous work and focuses on the effect memory retrieval can have on the agent's emotional state. Memory retrieval is defined as an emotional re-appraisal of past experiences. The variation of intensity of such re-experience is explored by modeling two phenomena: downward spirals and habituation. Downward spirals consist of situations in which recurrent retrieval of negatively charged past memories increases the recall intensity of such memories in depressed individuals. Habituation is the reduction of recall intensity caused by re-experiencing past experiences in a context perceived by the individual as safe.
Year_ 2011
Authors_ Paulo F. Gomes, Ana Paiva, Carlos Martinho
Booktitle_ Proc. of The 2nd Symposium on Human Memory for Artificial Agents in AISB’11
Pages_ 15-19
Publisher_ Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
Address_ York, UK
Month_ April

Bibtex_
@inproceedings { gomes11, abstract = {In the present article a model for memory retrieval of personal experiences for virtual agents is presented. It builds upon previous work and focuses on the effect memory retrieval can have on the agent's emotional state. Memory retrieval is defined as an emotional re-appraisal of past experiences. The variation of intensity of such re-experience is explored by modeling two phenomena: downward spirals and habituation. Downward spirals consist of situations in which recurrent retrieval of negatively charged past memories increases the recall intensity of such memories in depressed individuals. Habituation is the reduction of recall intensity caused by re-experiencing past experiences in a context perceived by the individual as safe.}, address = {York, UK}, booktitle = {Proc. of The 2nd Symposium on Human Memory for Artificial Agents in AISB’11}, month = {April}, pages = {15-19}, publisher = {Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)}, title = {Between Downward Spirals and Habituation: Emotion Intensity in Virtual Agents' Memory Retrieval}, year = {2011}, author = {Paulo F. Gomes and Ana Paiva and Carlos Martinho} }

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LIREC LIREC is a European funded (FP7) research project exploring how we live with digital and interactive companions. The project addresses a number of key scientific and technical areas, which have previously received limited examination: - A multi-aspect (perception, memory, emotions, communication, learning) theory of artificial long-term companions. - An extended empirical evaluation undertaken in real social settings to validate the theory developed. - Ethological issues in developing these long term companion relationships. - The effect of embodiment and migration on these long term companion relationships. - The development of a guideline framework for viable long term companion technologies.     LIREC in the news:   http://lirec.eu/