When can we conclude predictive coding is not happening?

[OOO]

When can we conclude predictive coding is not happening?

[OOO]

Based on the predictive coding theory, I got two predictions:

Prediction 1: For unexpected stimulus input, the feedback signals from higher-level cortex to lower-level cortex should increase, and the feedforward signals from lower-level cortex to higher-level cortex should decrease. This is because the feedback signals convey the predictions of the higher-level model, and the feedforward signals convey the prediction errors, or the mismatch between the predictions and the input. When there is an unexpected input, the prediction errors are high, and the model needs to update its predictions to reduce them.

Prediction 2: Lower-level brain regions exhibit weaker responses to expected stimuli, and higher-level brain regions show stronger representation of expected stimuli. This is because the lower-level regions signal the prediction errors, or the difference between the actual input and the higher-level predictions, and the higher-level regions update their predictions to minimize the prediction errors. When the stimuli are expected, the prediction errors are low, and the lower-level responses are suppressed by the feedback signals from the higher-level regions. When the stimuli are unexpected, the prediction errors are high, and the lower-level responses are enhanced by the feedforward signals from the lower-level regions.

Therefore, if we observe in an experiment that：

Phenomenon 1: Lower-level brain regions exhibit stronger responses to expected stimuli, and higher-level brain regions show weaker representation of expected stimuli.

Or

Phenomenon 2: For unexpected stimulus input, the feedback signals from higher-level cortex to lower-level cortex decrease, and the feedforward signals from lower-level cortex to higher-level cortex increase.

Can we conclude that predictive coding is not happening in this experiment?

Or alternatively, if predictive coding is happening, does it always follow these two predictions?

Does this mean that predictive coding theory can be falsified in this case?

[Bitking]

I have proposed the “loop of consciousness” theory here:

Intelligence vs Consciousness

My working theory on consciousness is fairly simple considering how complex the central nervous system is. Let me set the table on how I see the brain working: Focusing on the H of HTM. (Hierarchy) Consider this in a sensory stream general framework of (raw sense) to (collected sense/association) to (name/symbol) to (collected symbols/grammar) to (working memory) to (the emotionally colored here and now) in the tip of the temporal lobe. This is the stream of sensation that you know as your pe…

Since this is a closed loop system, I would not expect that a simple analysis is going to be successful in describing the behavior of the top-down signal flow.

[OOO]

Thank you!
So the predictions are not correct? The feedback signals from higher-level cortex to lower-level cortex could be weakened though predictive coding is happening?

Do you think these predictions would be right if they are merely based on the predictive coding theory? not other theories?

[Bitking]

Some parts will be doing predictive coding, but that is only part of a much larger system.

I don’t see this a rejection of predictive behavior, but an acknowledgement of the fact that the brain is the most complicated system known, and that an explanation that “it works this way” is bound to be too simplistic to offer a full understanding of what is going on.