# Quantum formalism for cognitive psychology

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.06055 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.06055/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 9 Mar 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Yes, Prime Minister, question order does matter -- and it's certainly not classical! But is it quantum?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.08930/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The cognitive state of mind concerning a range of choices to be made can effectively be modelled in terms of an element of a high-dimensional Hilbert space. The dynamics of the state of mind resulting form information acquisition is characterised by the von Neumann-L"uders projection postulate of quantum theory. This is shown to give rise to an uncertainty-minimising dynamical behaviour equivalent to the Bayesian updating, hence providing an alternative approach to characterising the dynamics of cognitive state that is consistent with the free energy principle in brain science. The quantum formalism however goes beyond the range of applicability of classical reasoning in explaining cognitive behaviours, thus opens up new and intriguing possibilities.