Movement vigor: Frameworks, exceptions, and nomenclature

Area of Science:

• Behavioral neuroscience
• Decision-making
• Reinforcement learning

Background:

• Shadmehr and Ahmed propose that the vigor of appetitive movements directly correlates with their value.
• This suggests that an organism's internal value of a reward can be inferred by measuring movement vigor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the proposed correlation between movement vigor and value.
• To explore the broader implications and limitations of using vigor as a proxy for value.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing theories and experimental findings.
• Examination of the vigor effect within different theoretical frameworks, including optimal foraging theory.

Main Results:

• The correlation between movement vigor and subjective value is not universally obligatory.
• The vigor effect is observed in theoretical frameworks beyond optimal foraging, indicating broader applicability.
• Potential for misinterpretation of the term 'vigor' can impact the rigor of its use as a value indicator.

Conclusions:

• While movement vigor can be a useful indicator of value, its interpretation requires careful consideration.
• The relationship between vigor and value is nuanced and context-dependent, necessitating a broader theoretical perspective.