Mathematical Modeling of the Learning Curve: A Laboratory Manual and Source Book

The application of mathematical models in the analysis of learning data has a rich tradition in experimental psychology. Such modeling is not only of scientific interest from psychophysiological point of view but very important from clinical point of view because memory impairment is a common symptom that is frequently diagnosed in elder people, persons after traumatic brain injury, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological and psychiatric diseases. Mild memory impairment might be one of the most important symptoms of a future Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, early diagnosis of initial signs of memory impairment is of importance. The book offers the reader hands on practical experience using a mathematical model dveloped by the senior authors. Classroom tested experiments are provided which requires the reader to use the model under various conditions such as learning and memory in both humans and animals.

Following an introduction to mathematical models, the book contains 13 experiments. These experiments include those related to animal learning in such organisms as snails, bees, and rats. A variety of human experiments are also presented including those related to short and long term memory, maze learning, classical salivary conditioning, evaluation of sound on memory, and the influence of dietary supplements on memory. We close the section on experiments with and analysis of machine learning curves.

Appendices are provided on how to build apparatus and how to install the software.

Dr. Charles I. Abramson is a Regents Professor of Psychology at Oklahoma State University and affiliated with the departments of Integrative Biology and Entomology and Plant Pathology. He received his PhD in experimental-physiological psychology from Boston University. As a comparative psychologist, Abramson has studied over 30 different species of both invertebrates and vertebrates in a series of basic and applied research problems. In addition to work on species comparisons, Abramson has made significant contributions in such diverse areas as the development of a social insect model of alcoholism, the effect of agrochemicals on behavior, application of mathematical models of the learning process, and an analysis of the forgotten and neglected African American scientist Charles H. Turner. He has published over 300 articles/book chapters and 22 books/specil issue editor on associated subjects. His contributions have been recognized by the Colombian Academy of Science and the American Psychological Association among many others. He is (fellow of the American Psychological Assocition and was elected into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Educators all of Fame.

2. Ms. Riley J. Wincheski, M.S., is a PhD candidate in comparative psychology at Oklahoma State University. She is the author of eight publications and has worked with organisms as diverse as tardigrades, planarians, octopus, beluga whales, crickets, dolphins, and honey bees.

3. Dr. Igor I. Stepanov graduated from First Leningrad Medical Institute in 1966 (specialty: physician). He earned his Ph.D. in Physiology in 1969. From 1971 to 1974, he studied higher mathematics, including mathematical analysis, differential equations, probability theory and mathematical statistics, the basics of Fortran programming at the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Leningrad State University. From 1974 to 2014 year, Dr. Stepanov worked as leading research fellow at the Institute for Experimental Medicine, The Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia, after which he retired. In 2001, he received scientific degree ＂Doctor of Medical Sciences.＂ Dr. Stepanov is the author of approximately 100 articles and one of the contributors of the book ＂Russian Contributions to Invertebrate Behavior＂, published in 1996 (Prager). He maintained an active and diverse line of research in the field of mathematical modeling in physiology and psychology, learning and memory in animals (snails, rats) and humans.