Environmental Uncertainty Modulates the Framing Effect in Planning: Evidence From Staged Neural Correlates

Active planning to avoid losses and pursue rewards is equally important in an uncertain environment, but whether there are differences in individuals' planning strategies in the gain and loss frames remains unknown. In this study, we employed a modified two-stage decision-making task and event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the planning processes and brain activity underlying reward approach and loss avoidance in uncertain environments. Behavioral modeling results demonstrated that in low uncertainty environments, individuals used more model-based learning strategies for loss avoidance than for reward approach; however, this framing effect disappeared in high uncertainty environments. ERP results further revealed staged neural dynamics in approach planning and avoidance planning under uncertainty. Compared to low uncertainty, high uncertainty elicited greater P300 amplitudes when encountering rare transition states, and smaller feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitudes when receiving outcomes. Avoidance planning elicited more positive P300 amplitudes than approach planning, but elicited smaller FRN amplitudes only when receiving negative outcomes. The modeling results suggest that uncertainty modulated the framing effect in planning, potentially through its preferential recruitment of cognitive resources. The ERP evidence supports this interpretation, with high uncertainty intensifying the processing of environmental structure while diminishing sensitivity to outcomes. This study clarifies the staged neural correlates of human planning, and advances understanding of adaptive avoidance behaviors in response to negative outcomes in an uncertain world.