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Temporal discounting of aversive consequences in rats
William Rodríguez1, Arturo Bouzas1, Vladimir Orduña2
1Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Learning & Behavior
|June 24, 2017
Summary
This study investigated how delays affect the perceived value of negative outcomes, like shocks, in rats. Results show that longer delays decrease the aversion to shocks, a finding crucial for understanding decision-making under risk.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Decision-making research
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Limited research exists on the temporal discounting of aversive consequences compared to positive reinforcers.
- Understanding how delay influences the value of negative outcomes is essential for behavioral economics and neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal discounting of an aversive consequence (shock) in rats.
- To establish a baseline for future studies on factors influencing the devaluation of negative outcomes over time.
Main Methods:
- A modified Evenden and Ryan procedure was used, involving choices between food pellets and a shock.
- Rats initially preferred a larger food reward, but this preference shifted when a shock was introduced.
- Delays to the shock were manipulated in ascending and descending orders within sessions.
Main Results:
- Increasing the delay to a shock reduced its aversiveness, leading to a recovery of preference for the larger reward.
- The relationship between preference and delay to shock was accurately modeled by a hyperbolic function.
- The order of delay presentation (ascending vs. descending) did not impact the observed discounting curve.
Conclusions:
- Temporal discounting of aversive events follows a predictable pattern, influenced by delay.
- The hyperbolic discounting function provides a quantitative model for aversive outcome devaluation.
- This study establishes a foundational model for examining environmental and pharmacological influences on the temporal discounting of negative consequences.
