The Adaptive Mind (TAM)

The ability to adapt behaviour according to the situation is a fundamentally important human characteristic. A disruption of this ability can lead to mental illness. Despite its central importance for everyday life, the mechanisms that allow and control human adaptability are not yet understood. Even the latest artificial intelligence and robotics systems lack this adaptability.

Humans are unbeatable when it comes to dealing with change: The human eye can adapt to the brightness of the environment, whether it's noon on the beach or a moonless night. People don't forget how to ride a bike, even though their bodies constantly change over the course of their lives. And they can handle different liquids - from water to honey.

“But how does the human brain decide which strategy to use when? What is the relationship between stability and adaptation? And what happens if the adaptation process fails?” According to Prof Dr Frank Bremmer, spokesperson for Marburg University, researchers from various disciplines are investigating these questions in the future Cluster of Excellence. The researchers are interested in deciphering universal principles of human adaptability. The topic is not only relevant to the cognitive and neurosciences and psychology, but also to learning robots and the training of neural networks. Justus Liebig University Giessen is in charge of the project, with TU Darmstadt and Marburg University as co-applicants.