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Inhibition and paradoxical choice
Valeria V González1, Aaron P Blaisdell2
1Department of Psychology, University of California, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA. vgonzalez@psych.ucla.edu.
Learning & Behavior
|May 5, 2023
Summary
Inhibition plays a key role in paradoxical choice behavior in pigeons. Manipulating post-choice cues, specifically reducing inhibition to a negative stimulus (S-), decreased preference for the suboptimal choice.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Animal cognition
- Learning and memory
Background:
- Paradoxical choice involves selecting a less rewarding option, often linked to inhibitory learning.
- Previous research suggests a correlation between inhibition to negative stimuli and paradoxical choice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between inhibition of post-choice stimuli and suboptimal preference in pigeons.
- To test if manipulating inhibition to post-choice cues alters paradoxical choice behavior.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons were trained on a paradoxical choice task with distinct reinforcement rates.
- Two experimental conditions were applied post-acquisition: extinction of a positive cue (S4) and partial reinforcement of a negative cue (S-).
- Choice behavior was reassessed after these manipulations.
Main Results:
- Both extinction of S4 and partial reinforcement of S- led to a decrease in suboptimal preference.
- These manipulations paradoxically increased preference for the suboptimal choice, despite making it the richer option.
Conclusions:
- Inhibition to a post-choice stimulus appears to causally influence suboptimal preference.
- Reducing inhibition to negative cues may increase the perceived value or attraction of a choice, even if it's less rewarding overall.
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