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Evidence for entropy maximisation in human free choice behaviour.

Natalie Rens1, Gian Luca Lancia2, Mattia Eluchans2

  • 1Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.

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Individuals prefer more choices, not just higher rewards. This study shows an inference-based model explains decision-making by optimizing both utility and entropy (option availability), enhancing the feeling of free will.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Neuroscience
  • Decision-Making Theory

Background:

  • The preference for choice over utilitarian value is well-documented.
  • Existing decision-making frameworks often fail to integrate choice preference with utility maximization.
  • A unified framework is needed to explain free choice behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test an inference-based decision-making model incorporating both utility and entropy.
  • To investigate how the availability of options (entropy) influences choice behavior and perceived free will.
  • To determine if this model better predicts behavior than traditional expected utility theory.

Main Methods:

  • Participants navigated a virtual environment with sequential choices.
  • Choice architecture manipulated the number of available options (entropy) and potential rewards (utility).
  • Choice behavior, motion dynamics, and self-reported freedom of choice were recorded.

Main Results:

  • Choice behavior was better predicted by the inference-based model (optimizing utility and entropy) than by expected utility alone.
  • Increased option availability (entropy) and contextual value positively correlated with perceived freedom of choice.
  • Behavioral patterns, including navigation dynamics, reflected the optimization of both utility and entropy.

Conclusions:

  • Free choice behavior is explained by an inference-based framework optimizing both utility and entropy.
  • The feeling of free will is strongly associated with the availability of options.
  • This research provides a novel framework for understanding decision-making under conditions of choice.