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In order to build intuition, this paper explores a model agent to illustrate how the perspective and tools of dynam ical systems theory can be applied to the analysis of situated, embodied agents capable of minimally cognitive behavior. Specifically, we study a model agent whose \u201cnervous system\u201d was evolved using a genetic algorithm to catch circular objects and to avoid diamond-shaped ones. After characterizing the performance, behavioral strategy and psychophysics of the best-evolved agent, its dynamics are analyzed in some detail at three different levels: (1) the entire coupled brain\/body\/environment sys tem; (2) the interaction between agent and environment that generates the observed coupled dynam ics; (3) the underlying neuronal properties responsible for the agent dynamics. This analysis offers both explanatory insight and testable predictions. The paper concludes with discussions of the overall picture that emerges from this analysis, the challenges this picture poses to traditional notions of rep resentation, and the utility of a research methodology involving the analysis of simpler idealized mod els of complete brain\/body\/environment systems.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/1059712303114001","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2004,4,21]],"date-time":"2004-04-21T20:12:39Z","timestamp":1082578359000},"page":"209-243","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":319,"title":["The Dynamics of Active Categorical Perception in an Evolved Model Agent"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"Randall D.","family":"Beer","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Department                        of Biology Case Western Reserve University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2003,12,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"atypb1","unstructured":"Abraham, R. 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