REWARD
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2875 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
A positive return obtained by a system through some adequate action.
The search for reward necessarily implies relevance criteria about what should be defined as a reward. Such criteria would be based on results of former experiences (not necessarily always a perfect source of decision-making).
According to G. PASK there is “a basic distinction between reward, as used in computer programme to mean that a rewarded event becomes more probable, and reward as it used in a system able to create fresh components and parts of itself. In this latter case, reward means ability to develop, ability to expand, and ability to become stable by becoming a larger system” (Quoted by P. CARIANI, 1993, p.25).
In any case, in the definition, “adequate” sounds somewhat tautological… and anthropomorphic. Moreover, many human systems seek “positive” rewards, and obtain them. But there is generally no guaranty that short term rewards would not exact some unknown back pay later on.