Parameters

A simulation uses a number of parameters, for example how many subjects that should be simulated. Therefore, in order to run a simulation, a number of parameter values must be set. Use the equal sign to set the value of a parameter. For example, to tell Learning Simulator to simulate 10 subjects, set the parameter n_subjects to the value 10 like so:

n_subjects = 10

Below follows a description of each of the available parameters in Learning Simulator· For a detailed description, syntax, and examples, click the parameter name.

In the tables below, “element” means stimulus element.

Simulation parameters

Parameter	Description	Default/ Required	Possible values	Used in mechanisms
alpha_v	Learning rate for v-values	1	- A single value - One value per element-behavior pair	All except rw
alpha_vss	Learning rate for vss-values	1	- A single value - One value per element-element pair	rw
alpha_w	Learning rate for w-values	1	- A single value - One value per stimulus element	ga and ac
behaviors	The behavior repertoire	Required	List of behavior names	All except rw
behavior_cost	Cost for behaviors	0	- A single value - One value per behavior	All except rw
beta	Exploration	1	- A single value - One value per element-behavior pair	All except rw
discount	Discount factor	0	A number between 0 and 1	ga, es ac, ql
lambda	Reinforcement	0	- A single value - One value per stimulus element	rw
mechanism	Learning mechanism	Required	ga, sr, es, ql, ac, or rw
mu	Genetic predisposition	0	- A single value - One value per element-behavior pair	All except rw
n_subjects	Number of subjects	1	Positive integer	All
random_seed	Random seed	None	Any string (typically integers are used)	All
response_requirements	Possible stimuli per behavior	All stimuli possible for each behavior	List of behavior:element and/or behavior:[element1,element2,...]	All except rw
stimulus_elements	Stimulus elements	Required	List of stimulus element names	All
start_v	Intial v-values	0	- A single value - One value per element-behavior pair	All except rw
start_vss	Initial vss- values	0	- A single value - One value per element-element pair	rw
start_w	Initial w-values	0	- A single value - One value per stimulus element	ga and ac
trace	Memory trace	0	A number between 0 and 1	ga and sr
u	Reinforcement	0	- A single value - One value per stimulus element	All except rw

Postprocessing parameters

Parameter	Description	Default/ Required	Possible values	Used in commands
cumulative	Plot/export cumulative values	on	- on - off	@nplot @nexport
filename	Exported file	Required in export commands	a valid file name with or without path	Export commands
match	How to match compound stimuli to @nplot	subset	- subset - exact	@nplot @nexport
runlabel	Which @run command to use	The last @run	string without space	All
xscale	The x-axis scale	all	- all - a stimulus element - a behavior - stimulus->behavior->stimulus->… - behavior->stimulus->behavior->…	All
xscale_match	How to match compound stimuli to xscale	subset	- subset - exact	All
phases	Which phase(s) to use	all	- all - list of phase labels	All
subject	Which subject(s) to use	average	- average, all - all - one-based index \(\le\) n_subjects	All