Explaining the Interrelated Evaluation of Choice Options With a Sequential Sampling Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Berkowitsch ◽  
Benjamin Scheibehenne ◽  
Jorg Rieskamp
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model

A Nested Analysis of Electoral Donations

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nubia Evertsson
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Design ◽  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
National Examination ◽  
Large N ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model ◽  
Nested Analysis ◽  
Cross National

This article reports the results of a nested analysis conducted to evaluate whether or not electoral donations are considered legal bribes. Introduced by Lieberman, nested analysis brings together the strengths of the regression analysis and the case study research by integrating large- N approaches (LNA) with small- N approaches (SNA). The nested analysis uses a sequential sampling model (QUANTITATIVE → QUALITATIVE) and a nested sampling design (case selection “on/off the line”). Here, Lieberman’s original model was extended to deal with an apparent paradox that emerged from the analysis. This inquiry included a cross-national examination among 78 countries, denoted as LNA, followed by an intranational analysis conducted in Colombia, where an SNA survey with 302 respondents and an SNA case study were carried out.

Causal evidence for a domain-specific role of left superior frontal sulcus in human perceptual decision-making

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Barretto Garcia ◽  
Marcus Grueschow ◽  
Marius Moisa ◽  
Rafael Polania ◽  
Christian Carl Ruff
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Perceptual Decision Making ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model ◽  
Evidence Integration ◽  
Superior Frontal Sulcus

Humans and animals can flexibly choose their actions based on different information, ranging from objective states of the environment (e.g., apples are bigger than cherries) to subjective preferences (e.g., cherries are tastier than apples). Whether the brain instantiates these different choices by recruiting either specialized or shared neural circuitry remains debated. Specifically, domain-general theories of prefrontal cortex (PFC) function propose that prefrontal areas flexibly process either perceptual or value-based evidence depending on what is required for the present choice, whereas domain-specific theories posit that PFC sub- areas, such as the left superior frontal sulcus (SFS), selectively integrate evidence relevant for perceptual decisions. Here we comprehensively test the functional role of the left SFS for choices based on perceptual and value-based evidence, by combining fMRI with a behavioural paradigm, computational modelling, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Confirming predictions by a sequential sampling model, we show that TMS-induced excitability reduction of the left SFS selectively changes the processing of decision-relevant perceptual information and associated neural processes. In contrast, value-based decision making and associated neural processes remain unaffected. This specificity of SFS function is evident at all levels of analysis (behavioural, computational, and neural, including functional connectivity), demonstrating that the left SFS causally contributes to evidence integration for  perceptual but not value-based decisions.

scholarly journals Dopamine promotes cognitive effort by biasing the benefits versus costs of cognitive work

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 367 (6484) ◽  
pp. 1362-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Westbrook ◽  
R. van den Bosch ◽  
J. I. Määttä ◽  
L. Hofmans ◽  
D. Papadopetraki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
D2 Receptor ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Cognitive Work ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model ◽  
Dopamine Signaling

Stimulants such as methylphenidate are increasingly used for cognitive enhancement but precise mechanisms are unknown. We found that methylphenidate boosts willingness to expend cognitive effort by altering the benefit-to-cost ratio of cognitive work. Willingness to expend effort was greater for participants with higher striatal dopamine synthesis capacity, whereas methylphenidate and sulpiride, a selective D2 receptor antagonist, increased cognitive motivation more for participants with lower synthesis capacity. A sequential sampling model informed by momentary gaze revealed that decisions to expend effort are related to amplification of benefit-versus-cost information attended early in the decision process, whereas the effect of benefits is strengthened with higher synthesis capacity and by methylphenidate. These findings demonstrate that methylphenidate boosts the perceived benefits versus costs of cognitive effort by modulating striatal dopamine signaling.

scholarly journals Computational modeling of epiphany learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (18) ◽  
pp. 4637-4642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei James Chen ◽  
Ian Krajbich
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Optimal Strategy ◽  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
Central Feature ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Strategic Game ◽  
Evidence Accumulation ◽  
Pupillary Responses ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model ◽  
Over Time

Models of reinforcement learning (RL) are prevalent in the decision-making literature, but not all behavior seems to conform to the gradual convergence that is a central feature of RL. In some cases learning seems to happen all at once. Limited prior research on these “epiphanies” has shown evidence of sudden changes in behavior, but it remains unclear how such epiphanies occur. We propose a sequential-sampling model of epiphany learning (EL) and test it using an eye-tracking experiment. In the experiment, subjects repeatedly play a strategic game that has an optimal strategy. Subjects can learn over time from feedback but are also allowed to commit to a strategy at any time, eliminating all other options and opportunities to learn. We find that the EL model is consistent with the choices, eye movements, and pupillary responses of subjects who commit to the optimal strategy (correct epiphany) but not always of those who commit to a suboptimal strategy or who do not commit at all. Our findings suggest that EL is driven by a latent evidence accumulation process that can be revealed with eye-tracking data.

scholarly journals Dopamine Promotes Cognitive Effort by Biasing the Benefits Versus Costs of Cognitive Work

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Westbrook ◽  
R. van den Bosch ◽  
J. I. Määttä ◽  
L. Hofmans ◽  
D. Papadopetraki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Sampling ◽  
D2 Receptor ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Cognitive Work ◽  
Sequential Sampling Model ◽  
Dopamine Signaling

Stimulants like methylphenidate are increasingly used for cognitive enhancement, but precise mechanisms are unknown. We found that methylphenidate boosts willingness to expend cognitive effort by altering the benefit-to-cost ratio of cognitive work. Willingness to expend effort was greater for participants with higher striatal dopamine synthesis capacity, while methylphenidate and sulpiride – a selective D2 receptor antagonist – increased cognitive motivation more for participants with lower synthesis capacity. A sequential sampling model informed by momentary gaze revealed that decisions to expend effort are related to amplification of benefit-versus-cost information attended early in the decision process, while the effect of benefits is strengthened with higher synthesis capacity and by methylphenidate. These findings demonstrate that methylphenidate boosts the perceived benefits-versus-costs of cognitive effort by modulating striatal dopamine signaling.One Sentence SummaryStriatal dopamine increases cognitive effort by respectively amplifying and attenuating the subjective benefits and costs of cognitive control.

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