Learning in associative networks through Pavlovian dynamics

Hebbian learning theory is rooted in Pavlov's Classical Conditioning. In addition, while mathematical models of the former have been proposed and studied in the past decades, especially in spin glass theory, only recently it has been numerically shown that the Pavlovian neural and synaptic dynamics mechanisms give rise to synaptic weights that correspond to the Hebbian learning rule. In this paper, we show that we can analytically prove this result. Moreover, we obtain the Pavlovian dynamics directly with statistical mechanics considerations, so that we can model the whole process within the same framework. Then, we test and study the model in different numerical settings. Finally, drawing from evidence on pure memory reinforcement during sleep stages, we show how the proposed model can simulate neural networks that undergo sleep-associated memory consolidation processes, thereby proving the compatibility of Pavlovian learning.