The given statement highlights how neural networks were programmed using previous successful rules, despite not showing grid cell behaviors, underlining the importance of cognitive and neural network interactions in the context of learning and brain biology.
The statement being analyzed refers to neural networks and behaviors resembling those of grid cells. It suggests that although the networks under consideration did not demonstrate grid cell behaviors, they were nevertheless programmed using rules that have been effective in past studies of neural networks. This is significant as it emphasizes the application of established neural-network principles, regardless of the specific behaviors (such as grid cell-like behaviors) emerging in the networks. Insights into how cognitive and neural networks interact can influence genes, the body, and the social environment, an idea supported by research on the biology of the brain's neural connections and how they are influenced by various factors, including experiences and learning processes.
Studies on rats in mazes, like those conducted by H.C. Blodgett and E.C. Tolman, provide examples of cognitive learning and how animals can form cognitive maps, reflecting the underpinning connections and advancements in understanding neural and cognitive learning processes. These experiments illustrate the complexity of learning behaviors and the potential for cognitive learning beyond purely conditioned responses.