This research explores the relation between environmental structure and neurocognitive structure. We hypothesize that selection\r\npressure on abilities for efficient learning (especially in settings with limited or no reward information) translates into selection\r\npressure on correspondence relations between neurocognitive and environmental structure, since such correspondence allows for\r\nsimple changes in the environment to be handled with simple learning updates in neurocognitive structure.We present a model in\r\nwhich a simple formof reinforcement-free learning is evolved in neural networks using neuromodulation and analyze the effect this\r\nselection for learning ability has on the virtual species� neural organization.We find a higher degree of organization than in a control\r\npopulation evolved without learning ability and discuss the relation between the observed neural structure and the environmental\r\nstructure.We discuss our findings in the context of the environmental complexity thesis, the Baldwin effect, and other interactions\r\nbetween adaptation processes.
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