A cognitive emotional network model of foraging under predation risk

The cognitive emotional foraging model (CEF) is a unique application of a neural network to dynamical processes in foraging behavior. CEF is based directly on the neural network known as the gated dipole. The gated dipole is capable of carrying out affective reactions to emotionally charged events in line with the opponent process theory of emotion. CEF incorporates a trade-off between foraging and the danger of predation under varying levels of motivation induced by hunger. The results of simulations of foraging decisions indicate that the CEF model is capable of near optimal foraging in a simple patch selection paradigm compared to a random decision rule and a rule of thumb model.