Declarative

The declarative module interface defines the methods necessary to asynchronously create and encode chunktypes and chunks. It also includes methods for disposing of temporary chunks (or cleaning up chunks during model disposal), and both partial and exact search methods.

An abstract implementation is provided that handles all of the basics (including event firing) requiring implementations of the actual create, add, copy, dispose and search methods.

There are specific extension interfaces for theory revisions four and five.

The default implementation conforms to theory revision six.

AbstractDeclarativeModule

The AbstractDeclarativeModule provides most of the nitty-gritty implementation details that are required for the IDeclarativeModule. However, it leaves the theoretically relevant components (creating, encoding, searching of chunks/types) to the client.

DefaultDeclarativeModule

The DefaultDeclarativeModule is the general starting point for any theory specific implementation. It is thread safe, provides all the required functionality, and also provides access to the three most commonly required extension points. Specifically, you can provide it with:

  • IDeclarativeNamer to specify the names of chunks/types on encoding
  • IDeclarativeInstantiator to instantiate the specific class of chunk/types required by the module (defaults to DefaultChunk5 and DefaultChunkType5)
  • IDeclarativeConfigurator to configure the instantiate chunk/types (useful for adding non-default parameters, etc).

Version 6

Default declarative module for ACT-R 6. Carries with it some reminents from ACT-R 5. (namely support for similarities). This module uses the IDeclarativeConfigurator to set the various activation equations used by the chunks (i.e., IBaseLevelActivationEquation, ISpreadingActivationEquation, IRandomActivationEquation)

Parameters

  • EnablePartialMatching : default false.
  • ActivationNoise : default 0. Note: a random module must be installed to use.
  • PermanentActivationNoise : default 0. See note above.
  • BaseLevelConstant : default 0.
  • MismatchPenalty : default 1.
  • MaximumSimilarity: default 0
  • MaximumDifference : default -1.

Associative Linkage

Associations in jACT-R are handled by IAssociativeLinkageSystem, which is handled by the Declarative module (often pulling the linkage system from a declarative learning module).

The linkage system provides methods for creating links, accessing their respective equations (for updating values) and a parameter handler to transform strings into lists of associative links. In conjunction with their declarative learning module, they will often install event listeners in order to install and update the links correctly.