Observations on sequences of choices made at five successive choice points.

Malcolm G. Preston; Pearl M. Zeid

doi:10.1037/h0054268

Observations on sequences of choices made at five successive choice points.

Journal of Experimental Psychology ◽

10.1037/h0054268 ◽

1943 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 275-290

Author(s):

Malcolm G. Preston ◽

Pearl M. Zeid

Keyword(s):

Successive Choice

Download Full-text

Primate amygdala neurons evaluate the progress of self-defined economic choice sequences

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.18731 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Fabian Grabenhorst ◽

Istvan Hernadi ◽

Wolfram Schultz

Keyword(s):

High Accuracy ◽

Economic Choice ◽

Choice Sequence ◽

Behavioral Sequences ◽

Successive Choice ◽

Critical Requirement ◽

Goal Directed Behavior ◽

Population Decoding ◽

Control Sequences

The amygdala is a prime valuation structure yet its functions in advanced behaviors are poorly understood. We tested whether individual amygdala neurons encode a critical requirement for goal-directed behavior: the evaluation of progress during sequential choices. As monkeys progressed through choice sequences toward rewards, amygdala neurons showed phasic, gradually increasing responses over successive choice steps. These responses occurred in the absence of external progress cues or motor preplanning. They were often specific to self-defined sequences, typically disappearing during instructed control sequences with similar reward expectation. Their build-up rate reflected prospectively the forthcoming choice sequence, suggesting adaptation to an internal plan. Population decoding demonstrated a high-accuracy progress code. These findings indicate that amygdala neurons evaluate the progress of planned, self-defined behavioral sequences. Such progress signals seem essential for aligning stepwise choices with internal plans. Their presence in amygdala neurons may inform understanding of human conditions with amygdala dysfunction and deregulated reward pursuit.

Download Full-text