scholarly journals Reduction in sucrose reward magnitude without generalization decrement

1978 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Burns ◽  
D. P. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Generalization Decrement ◽  
Sucrose Reward

Single-Alternation Patterning with Sucrose Reinforcement and Varied Intertrial Intervals in the Rat

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1311-1316
Author(s):  
Richard J. Nicholls ◽  
Victor Duch
Keyword(s):  
Classical Conditioning ◽  
Intertrial Interval ◽  
Short Interval ◽  
Single Alternation ◽  
Extinction Data ◽  
Sucrose Reward ◽  
Sucrose Reinforcement

Four groups of rats were given single-alternation training in a runway using sucrose reward and then extinguished. Only subjects given training with a short interval (10 sec.) between rewarded and nonrewarded trials and a long interval (40 min.) between nonrewarded and rewarded trials learned patterned responding. This duplicated the results found in classical conditioning with a similar manipulation. The acquisition and extinction data led to the conclusion that intertrial interval cues can be made more important than aftereffects in producing patterning with sucrose reinforcement.

scholarly journals The effects of preexperimental diet upon reward magnitude effects

1978 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Prytula ◽  
Stephen F. Davis ◽  
James W. Voorhees
Keyword(s):  
Reward Magnitude

Preference for Predictable Small Rewards over Unpredictable Larger Rewards

1984 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene D. Steinhauer
Keyword(s):  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Partial Reinforcement ◽  
Frustration Theory ◽  
Equal Frequency ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Clear Preference ◽  
Avoidance Tendency ◽  
Discrimination Procedure ◽  
Two Alternatives ◽  
Reinforcement Procedure

Numerous prior studies have reported that rats, pigeons, and humans prefer predictable over unpredictable rewards of equal frequency and magnitude. A frustration-theory analysis of this preference suggests that it obtains because the unpredictable partial reinforcement procedure is aversive whereas the predictable discrimination procedure loses its aversiveness. The preference, on such an analysis, arises due to the tendency to avoid the unpredictable of two alternatives. Since frustration varies as a function of magnitude of reward, the avoidance tendency should increase with increases in reward magnitude in the unpredictable alternative. One group of rats in the present study showed a clear preference for seven versus five 45-mg Noyes Pellets. A second group showed the oft reported preference for five pellets predictable versus five pellets unpredictable. A third group of rats showed a preference for a five-pellet predictable reward over a seven-pellet unpredictable reward. The results of this experiment provide evidence for a frustration-theory analysis of the preference for predictable reward.

scholarly journals Salience-driven value construction for adaptive choice under risk

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehran Spitmaan ◽  
Emily Chu ◽  
Alireza Soltani
Keyword(s):  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Individual Outcomes ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
Differential Weighting ◽  
Adaptive Choice ◽  
Plausible Mechanism ◽  
Reward Information ◽  
Adaptive Decision Making

Decisions we face in real life are inherently risky and can result in one of many possible outcomes. However, most of what we know about choice under risk is based on studies that use options with only two possible outcomes (simple gambles), so it remains unclear how the brain constructs reward values for more complex risky options faced in real life. To address this question, we combined experimental and modeling approaches to examine choice between pairs of simple gambles and pairs of three-outcome gambles in male and female human subjects. We found that subjects evaluated individual outcomes of three-outcome gambles by multiplying functions of reward magnitude and probability. To construct the overall value of each gamble, however, most subjects differentially weighted possible outcomes based on either reward magnitude or probability. These results reveal a novel dissociation between how reward information is processed when evaluating complex gambles: valuation of each outcome is based on an integrated value whereas combination of possible outcomes relies on a single piece of reward information. We show that differential weighting of possible outcomes enabled subjects to make decisions more easily and quickly. Together, these findings reveal a plausible mechanism for how salience, in terms of possible reward magnitude or probability, can influence the construction of subjective values for complex gambles. They also point to separable neural mechanisms for how reward value controls choice and attention in order to allow for more adaptive decision making.

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