Machine Psychology
This course on Machine Psychology, 7,5 credits, is offered as an online course. The course introduces machine psychology – theories and research about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) from a psychological perspective.
The course provides a survey of how AGI differs from special-purpose (non-general) Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, as well as addresses different approaches to AGI including brain-based approaches, large language models, and principle-based approaches.
A main part of the course introduces a particular principle-based AGI-system called Non-Axiomatic Reasoning System (NARS). This part of the course aims to address the differences between adaptive systems (like NARS) from non-adaptive systems (like GPT).
The course has a behavioral psychological orientation, and contrasts this approach to AGI with other psychological perspectives. The course also provides knowledge of principles within scientific methods that contribute to machine psychology research. The course provides tools to analyze and explain how the psychology of AGI can be applied in relation to society and individuals, including ethical considerations.
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Course structure
As a registered student on this course you will find detailed course information and communication in the learning platform Athena. Login with your university account.
The course will be given in English as a remote online course, full-time studies, in the last quarter of the autumn semester 2024.
Course instructions
Machine Psychology, 7,5 creditsTeaching format
Instruction is given in the form of lectures, seminars and digital quizzes. Participation in seminars and quizzes are mandatory elements of the course. Absence from a maximum of two scheduled seminars and quizzes can be compensated. Compensation is done by replacement assignments specified by the teacher in charge of the course.
All teaching sessions take place remotely.
Teaching is given in the language specified for each respective course offering.
Learning outcomes
In order to pass the course, students are expected to:
- Give an account of how Non-Axiomatic Reasoning System (NARS) works and how it differs from other approaches to special-purpose AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
- Give an account of basic theories and concepts from behavioral psychology that can be used to analyze the behavior of AGI systems.
- Giva an account of and apply behavioral psychology theories and concepts to NARS.
- Give an account of and analyze how machine psychology can be applied in relation to psychological research and to society, including consideration of ethical issues.
Assessment
The course is examined through an individual digital take-home examination.
Examiner
Course leader: Robert Johansson, robert.johansson@psychology.su.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
A complete list of course readings is found in the course syllabus.
The list is subject to change until two months prior to the start of the course. In case the new course syllabus is missing above by then, please check with the course leader before you buy any expensive books etc.
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Contact
Registered students should primarily use Athena for teacher communication.
To contact the Student office or a Student Councellor, see below.
Student office - Bachelor's level
Study councellor - Bachelor's level
