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Inhibition and paradoxical choice.

Valeria V González1, Aaron P Blaisdell2

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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.

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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.