Behavior in the present depends critically on experience in similar environments in the past. Such past experience may be important in controlling behavior not because it determines the strength of a behavior, but because it allows the structure of the current environment to be detected and used. We explore a prospective-control approach to understanding simple behavior. Under this approach, order in the environment allows even simple organisms to use their personal past to respond according to the likely future. The predicted future controls behavior, and past experience forms the building blocks of the predicted future. We explore how generalization affects the use of past experience to predict and respond to the future. First, we consider how generalization across various dimensions of an event determines the degree to which the structure of the environment exerts control over behavior. Next, we explore generalization from the past to the present as the method of deciding when, where, and what to do. This prospective-control approach is measurable and testable; it builds predictions from events that have already occurred, and assumes no agency. Under this prospective-control approach, generalization is fundamental to understanding both adaptive and maladaptive behavior.

中文翻译：

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从过去概括，选择未来。

当前的行为关键取决于过去在类似环境中的经验。这些过去的经验对控制行为可能很重要，这不是因为它决定了行为的强度，而是因为它允许检测和使用当前环境的结构。我们探索一种前瞻性控制方法来理解简单行为。在这种方法下，环境中的秩序甚至允许简单的生物利用其个人过去根据可能的未来做出反应。预测的未来控制着行为，过去的经验构成了预测的未来的基石。我们探索泛化如何影响过去经验的使用来预测和响应未来。第一，我们考虑事件的各个方面的概括如何确定环境结构对行为施加控制的程度。接下来，我们探索从过去到现在的概括，作为决定何时，何地以及做什么的方法。这种前瞻性控制方法是可测量和可测试的；它根据已经发生的事件建立预测，并且不假设任何代理机构。在这种前瞻性控制方法下，泛化是理解适应性和适应不良行为的基础。