The agent-based approach: A new direction for computational models of development

The agent-based approach emphasizes the importance of learning through orga nism-environment interaction. This approach is part of a recent trend in co mputational models of learning and development toward studying autonomous o rganisms that are embedded in virtual or real environments. In this paper w e introduce the concepts of online and offline sampling and highlight the r ole of online sampling in agent-based models. After comparing the strengths of each approach for modeling particular developmental phenomena and resea rch questions, we describe a recent agent-based model of infant causal perc eption. We conclude by discussing some of the present limitations of agent- based models and suggesting how these challenges may be addressed. (C) 2001 Academic Press.