Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
06:11
A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
7.6K
Rewards that are near increase impulsive action.
David A O'Connor1, Remi Janet1, Valentin Guigon1
1Neuroeconomics, Reward and Decision-making Team, Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69675 Bron, France.
Iscience
|April 23, 2021
Summary
Impulsive behavior increases when rewards are perceived as spatially close. This virtual reality study shows proximity significantly impairs stopping actions toward rewards, impacting impulse control.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Psychology
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Impulsive behavior is linked to addiction, gambling, and obesity.
- Curbing the natural drive for immediate rewards is crucial in modern society.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if spatial proximity to rewards amplifies impulsive behavior.
- To differentiate the effects of proximity on impulsive action versus impulsive choice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized virtual reality (VR) to create an immersive environment.
- Embedded two behavioral tasks measuring impulsive action and choice.
- Presented 3D food reward cues in near and far virtual space.
Main Results:
- Participants showed significantly reduced ability to inhibit motor actions when rewards were near versus far.
- Bayesian analyses confirmed the statistical significance of proximity effects.
- Controlled for confounding factors related to proximity.
Conclusions:
- Spatial proximity to rewards distinctively enhances impulsive actions.
- VR technology provides a controlled environment to study reward-driven impulsivity.
- Findings suggest proximity is a key factor in understanding and potentially mitigating impulsive behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Timing and Consequences on Behavior
218
In operant conditioning, the timing of reinforcement is crucial. For animals like rats and cats, immediate reinforcement (within a few seconds) is much more effective than delayed reinforcement. For example, a food reward for a rat needs to follow within 30 seconds of pressing a bar to be effective.
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
218
01:18Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
654
Incentive theory, or the "pull theory" of motivation, suggests that external rewards primarily drive behavior. Individuals are motivated to engage in activities when they anticipate a desirable outcome. This is why people often work hard for promotions or study intensively to achieve high grades. These incentives can be tangible, physical rewards such as money or promotions, or intangible, non-physical rewards like praise and social recognition.
The theory differentiates between...
The theory differentiates between...
654
01:23Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
542
In psychology, reinforcement is a key concept in behavior modification. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments involving rats in what is known as a Skinner box. The rats learned to press a lever to receive food, a primary reinforcer that fulfilled their innate need for nourishment.
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
542
01:37Reason and Intuition
7.1K
The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the...
7.1K
01:23Reinforcement
556
Positive and negative reinforcement are key concepts in operant conditioning, a learning process where the consequences of a behavior affect the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the presentation of a rewarding stimulus, increasing the frequency of that behavior. For example:
556
01:24Reinforcement Schedules
299
Positive reinforcement is a powerful method for teaching new behaviors to both animals and humans. B.F. Skinner demonstrated this with his experiments using rats in a Skinner box. When a rat pressed a lever, it received a food pellet. This immediate reward encouraged the rat to repeat the behavior. This method, where a reward follows every instance of the behavior, is known as continuous reinforcement. It is highly effective for establishing new behaviors quickly.
Once a behavior is learned,...
Once a behavior is learned,...
299