A01 A02 A03 A04 A05 A06 A07 A09 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A18 A19 A21 F01 F02 INF Ö

A14 – Modeling context-dependent acquisition and extinction learning

Sen Cheng

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Extinction learning is strongly dependent on the contexts, in which acquisition and extinction took place, and we know that the hippocampus is critical for mediating this context dependence. However, we still do not understand the learning and neural mechanisms by which this context-dependence comes about. In this project, computational modeling and robotics will be used to study 1. what distinguishes cues from contextual information, 2. what makes extinction learning strongly context-dependent, while other forms of learning are less so, and 3. why the hippocampus is required for context-dependence.

Guiding questions of A14:

  • What distinguishes cues from contextual information in (extinction) learning?
  • What makes extinction learning strongly context-dependent, while other forms of learning are less so?
  • Why is the hippocampus required for context-dependence?
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Sen Cheng

Project Lead A14, F02

Ruhr University Bochum

Sandhiya Vijayabaskaran

Postdoc A14

Ruhr University Bochum

Marco Recchioni

PhD Student A14

Ruhr University Bochum

10 project-relevant publications

Diekmann N, Vijayabaskaran S, Zeng X, Kappel D, Menezes MC, Cheng S (2023) CoBeL-RL: A neuroscience-oriented simulation framework for complex behavior and learning. Front Neuroinformatics 17:1134405. https://doi.org/10.3389/fninf.2023.1134405 

Ghazinouri B, Cheng S (2025) The Cost of Behavioral Flexibility: Reversal Learning Driven by a Spiking Neural Network. In: From Animals to Animats 17 (Brock O, Krichmar J, eds), pp 39–50. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71533-4_23

Kappel D, Cheng S (2025) Global remapping emerges as the mechanism for renewal of context-dependent behavior in a reinforcement learning model. Front Comput Neurosci 18:1462110. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncom.2024.1462110 

Menezes M, Zeng X, Cheng S (2025) Revealing the mechanisms underlying latent learning with successor representations. bioRxiv:2025.03.01.640768. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.01.640768 

Parra-Barrero E, Vijayabaskaran S, Seabrook E, Wiskott L, Cheng S (2023) A map of spatial navigation for neuroscience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 152:105200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105200

Pusch R, Packheiser J, Azizi AH, Sevincik CS, Rose J, Cheng S, Stüttgen MC, Güntürkün O (2023) Working memory performance is tied to stimulus complexity. Commun Biol 6:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05486-7 

Vijayabaskaran S, Cheng S (2022) Navigation task and action space drive the emergence of egocentric and allocentric spatial representations. PLOS Comput Biol 18:e1010320. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010320 

Vijayabaskaran S, Cheng S (2024) Competition and Integration of Visual and Goal Vector Signals for Spatial Navigation bioRxiv:2024.05.14.594206. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.14.594206 

Walther T, Diekmann N, Vijayabaskaran S, Donoso JR, Manahan-Vaughan D, Wiskott L, Cheng S (2021) Contextdependent extinction learning emerging from raw sensory inputs: a reinforcement learning approach. Sci Rep 11:2713. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81157-z 

Zhao D, Zhang Z, Lu H, Cheng S, Si B, Feng X (2022) Learning Cognitive Map Representations for Navigation by Sensory–Motor Integration. IEEE Trans Cybern 52:508–521. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCYB.2020.2977999

New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.