Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
A comparison of single and multiple diffusion process models of continuous-outcome decision making
Philip L Smith1, Paul M Garrett1, Daniel Feuerriegel1
1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Psychological Review
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Two diffusion models accurately explain decision-making on continuous scales. Diffusive evidence accumulation, not model specifics, drives performance in speeded decision tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Computational neuroscience
- Decision science
Background:
- Continuous-outcome decision tasks are vital for understanding speeded decision-making.
- These tasks provide rich data on response error distributions, unlike simple error proportions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two novel diffusion process models for continuous-outcome decisions.
- To evaluate model performance across perceptual tasks with varied evidence manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Applied the circular diffusion model and the spatially continuous diffusion model.
- Assessed model fits to error and response time distributions from three perceptual tasks.
Main Results:
- Both models generally provided good accounts of performance across tasks.
- Qualitatively different patterns of response times and errors were observed.
Conclusions:
- Diffusive evidence accumulation processes are key to model success, more so than specific model architecture.
- Findings highlight the theoretical unity of diffusion models across decision-making domains.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Decision Making
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
01:14Multicompartment Models: Overview
Multicompartment models are mathematical constructs that depict how drugs are distributed and eliminated within the body. They segment the body into several compartments, symbolizing various physiological or anatomical areas connected through drug transfer processes such as absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination.
These models offer a more comprehensive representation of drug behavior in the body than one-compartment models. They accommodate the complexity of drug distribution,...
These models offer a more comprehensive representation of drug behavior in the body than one-compartment models. They accommodate the complexity of drug distribution,...
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the P-value method includes calculating the P- value using the sample data and interpreting it.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can have a...
00:57Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Blood Flow-Limited Versus Diffusion-Limited Models
Physiological pharmacokinetic models, often called flow-limited or perfusion models, typically assume a swift drug distribution between tissue and venous blood, creating a rapid drug equilibrium. This premise is based on the idea that drug diffusion is extremely fast, and the cell membrane presents no barrier to drug permeation. In this scenario, where no drug binding occurs, the drug concentration in the tissue equals that of the venous blood leaving the tissue. This greatly simplifies the...
01:14Compartment Models: Single-Compartment Model
The single-compartment model serves as a simplified representation of the human body. This model assumes that the body functions as a single, well-mixed open compartment. When a drug is administered intravenously, it enters the body and quickly distributes uniformly. The drug then undergoes biotransformation and elimination, ultimately leaving the body. The volume of this compartment is referred to as the apparent volume of distribution into which the drug can uniformly distribute. In this...