1. A processing element for an artificial neuron, comprising: a first plurality of inputs; a continuous value determining portion configured to generate a continuous value signal based on the first plurality of inputs; a second plurality of inputs; a responsiveness determining portion configured to generate a responsiveness signal corresponding to either a responsive state or a non-responsive state based on the second plurality of inputs; and an output value determining portion configured to receive the continuous value signal and the responsiveness signal and generate an output signal, wherein the output signal is equal to a predetermined value when the responsiveness signal corresponds to the non-responsive state and the output signal is equal to the continuous value signal when the responsiveness signal corresponds to the responsive state, wherein the continuous value signal is equal to the multiplicative product of a first set of at least two inputs of the first plurality of inputs subtracted from the multiplicative product of a second set of at least two inputs of the first plurality of inputs.