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Makani A, Chowdhury S, Flora DB, Spaniol J. A pandemic-related affect gap in risky decisions for self and others. Cogn Emot 2024:1-16. [PMID: 39287325 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2024.2404635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed large portions of the global populations to increased daily stressors. Research on risky choice in medical contexts suggests that affect-rich choice options promote less-advantageous decision strategies compared with affect-poor options, causing an "affect gap" in decision making. The current experiments (total N = 437, age range: 21-82) sought to test whether negative pandemic-related affect would lower expected-value (EV) maximisation within individuals. In Experiment 1, participants indicated how much they would be willing to pay to avoid specific pandemic experiences (e.g. "not being able to gather in groups"), and then chose among pairs of risky prospects that involved pandemic experiences or subjectively-equivalent monetary losses. EV maximising was lower for pandemic experiences than for equivalent monetary losses. Experiment 2 replicated this finding, and further demonstrated a moderating role of decision perspective. EV maximising was greater in decisions made for another person than in decisions made for oneself. These findings highlight potential strategies for boosting decision making under affect-rich real-world conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalim Makani
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sadia Chowdhury
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - David B Flora
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julia Spaniol
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
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White CM, Snow EC, Therrien AS. Reinforcement Motor Learning After Cerebellar Damage Is Related to State Estimation. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1061-1073. [PMID: 37828231 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01615-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent work showed that individuals with cerebellar degeneration could leverage intact reinforcement learning (RL) to alter their movement. However, there was marked inter-individual variability in learning, and the factors underlying it were unclear. Cerebellum-dependent sensory prediction may contribute to RL in motor contexts by enhancing body state estimates, which are necessary to solve the credit-assignment problem. The objective of this study was to test the relationship between the predictive component of state estimation and RL in individuals with cerebellar degeneration. Individuals with cerebellar degeneration and neurotypical control participants completed two tasks: an RL task that required them to alter the angle of reaching movements and a state estimation task that tested the somatosensory perception of active and passive movement. The state estimation task permitted the calculation of the active benefit shown by each participant, which is thought to reflect the cerebellum-dependent predictive component of state estimation. We found that the cerebellar and control groups showed similar magnitudes of learning with reinforcement and active benefit on average, but there was substantial variability across individuals. Using multiple regression, we assessed potential predictors of RL. Our analysis included active benefit, somatosensory acuity, clinical ataxia severity, movement variability, movement speed, and age. We found a significant relationship in which greater active benefit predicted better learning with reinforcement in the cerebellar, but not the control group. No other variables showed significant relationships with learning. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that the integrity of sensory prediction is a strong predictor of RL after cerebellar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M White
- Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Medical Arts Building, Suite 100, 50 Township Line Rd, Elkins Park, PA, USA
| | - Evan C Snow
- Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Medical Arts Building, Suite 100, 50 Township Line Rd, Elkins Park, PA, USA
| | - Amanda S Therrien
- Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, Medical Arts Building, Suite 100, 50 Township Line Rd, Elkins Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Compagne C, Mayer JT, Gabriel D, Comte A, Magnin E, Bennabi D, Tannou T. Adaptations of the balloon analog risk task for neuroimaging settings: a systematic review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1237734. [PMID: 37790591 PMCID: PMC10544912 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1237734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), a computerized behavioral paradigm, is one of the most common tools used to assess the risk-taking propensity of an individual. Since its initial behavioral version, the BART has been adapted to neuroimaging technique to explore brain networks of risk-taking behavior. However, while there are a variety of paradigms adapted to neuroimaging to date, no consensus has been reached on the best paradigm with the appropriate parameters to study the brain during risk-taking assessed by the BART. In this review of the literature, we aimed to identify the most appropriate BART parameters to adapt the initial paradigm to neuroimaging and increase the reliability of this tool. Methods A systematic review focused on the BART versions adapted to neuroimaging was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results A total of 105 articles with 6,879 subjects identified from the PubMed database met the inclusion criteria. The BART was adapted in four neuroimaging techniques, mostly in functional magnetic resonance imaging or electroencephalography settings. Discussion First, to adapt the BART to neuroimaging, a delay was included between each trial, the total number of inflations was reduced between 12 and 30 pumps, and the number of trials was increased between 80 and 100 balloons, enabling us to respect the recording constraints of neuroimaging. Second, explicit feedback about the balloon burst limited the decisions under ambiguity associated with the first trials. Third, employing an outcome index that provides more informative measures than the standard average pump score, along with a model incorporating an exponential monotonic increase in explosion probability and a maximum explosion probability between 50 and 75%, can yield a reliable estimation of risk profile. Additionally, enhancing participant motivation can be achieved by increasing the reward in line with the risk level and implementing payment based on their performance in the BART. Although there is no universal adaptation of the BART to neuroimaging, and depending on the objectives of a study, an adjustment of parameters optimizes its evaluation and clinical utility in assessing risk-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charline Compagne
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- CIC-1431 INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
| | - Juliana Teti Mayer
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Centre Département de Psychiatrie de l’Adulte, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
| | - Damien Gabriel
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- CIC-1431 INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
- Plateforme de Neuroimagerie Fonctionnelle Neuraxess, Besançon, France
| | - Alexandre Comte
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Centre Département de Psychiatrie de l’Adulte, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
| | - Eloi Magnin
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- CHU Département de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
| | - Djamila Bennabi
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Centre Département de Psychiatrie de l’Adulte, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
- Centre Expert Dépression Résistante Fondamentale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Besançon, France
| | - Thomas Tannou
- UR LINC, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Plateforme de Neuroimagerie Fonctionnelle Neuraxess, Besançon, France
- CIUSS Centre-Sud de l’Ile de Montréal, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Dijkstra NFS, Tiemeier H, Figner B, Groenen PJF. A Censored Mixture Model for Modeling Risk Taking. PSYCHOMETRIKA 2022; 87:1103-1129. [PMID: 35143016 PMCID: PMC9433365 DOI: 10.1007/s11336-021-09839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Risk behavior has substantial consequences for health, well-being, and general behavior. The association between real-world risk behavior and risk behavior on experimental tasks is well documented, but their modeling is challenging for several reasons. First, many experimental risk tasks may end prematurely leading to censored observations. Second, certain outcome values can be more attractive than others. Third, a priori unknown groups of participants can react differently to certain risk-levels. Here, we propose the censored mixture model which models risk taking while dealing with censoring, attractiveness to certain outcomes, and unobserved individual risk preferences, next to experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Boston, USA
| | - Bernd Figner
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Spreng RN, Turner GR. From exploration to exploitation: a shifting mental mode in late life development. Trends Cogn Sci 2021; 25:1058-1071. [PMID: 34593321 PMCID: PMC8844884 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Changes in cognition, affect, and brain function combine to promote a shift in the nature of mentation in older adulthood, favoring exploitation of prior knowledge over exploratory search as the starting point for thought and action. Age-related exploitation biases result from the accumulation of prior knowledge, reduced cognitive control, and a shift toward affective goals. These are accompanied by changes in cortical networks, as well as attention and reward circuits. By incorporating these factors into a unified account, the exploration-to-exploitation shift offers an integrative model of cognitive, affective, and brain aging. Here, we review evidence for this model, identify determinants and consequences, and survey the challenges and opportunities posed by an exploitation-biased mental mode in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nathan Spreng
- Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada.
| | - Gary R Turner
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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Don HJ, Davis T, Ray KL, McMahon MC, Cornwall AC, Schnyer DM, Worthy DA. Neural regions associated with gain-loss frequency and average reward in older and younger adults. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 109:247-258. [PMID: 34818618 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Research on the biological basis of reinforcement-learning has focused on how brain regions track expected value based on average reward. However, recent work suggests that humans are more attuned to reward frequency. Furthermore, older adults are less likely to use expected values to guide choice than younger adults. This raises the question of whether brain regions assumed to be sensitive to average reward, like the medial and lateral PFC, also track reward frequency, and whether there are age-based differences. Older (60-81 years) and younger (18-30 years) adults performed the Soochow Gambling task, which separates reward frequency from average reward, while undergoing fMRI. Overall, participants preferred options that provided negative net payoffs, but frequent gains. Older adults improved less over time, were more reactive to recent negative outcomes, and showed greater frequency-related activation in several regions, including DLPFC. We also found broader recruitment of prefrontal and parietal regions associated with frequency value and reward prediction errors in older adults, which may indicate compensation. The results suggest greater reliance on average reward for younger adults than older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary J Don
- Texas A&M University, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA.
| | - Tyler Davis
- Texas Tech University, Department of Psychological Sciences, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Kimberly L Ray
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Megan C McMahon
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Astin C Cornwall
- Texas A&M University, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - David M Schnyer
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Darrell A Worthy
- Texas A&M University, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA
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Nasir H, Tan CS, Pheh KS. The Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties in the Working Context of Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18178978. [PMID: 34501571 PMCID: PMC8430784 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18178978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are a set of high-level cognitive and behavioral monitoring skills that are important to employees’ work performance. The 25-item Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised (ESQ-R) measures executive dysfunction in five dimensions (e.g., emotional regulation). Nevertheless, the usability of this newly developed scale for employees remains unclear. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the adopted ESQ-R for working adults in Malaysia. A total of 325 employees responded to an online survey consisted of the ESQ-R, Executive Function Index (EFI), self-rated creativity scale (SRCS), and 9-item Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) and Employee Well-being Scale. Several CFAs were conducted to compare three competing models. While all models showed a good fit, the 5-factor second-order model that is in line with the theoretical structure is preferable. The ESQ-R showed excellent internal consistency. Moreover, the ESQ-R score was negatively correlated with EFI, creativity, and UWES-9 scores, supporting the convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. The ESQ-R score also explained incremental variance in well-being above and beyond scores of the UWES-9 and SRCS. Taken together, the ESQ-R is a useful tool for assessing employees’ executive dysfunction and suggesting intervention programs helping employees with deficits in EFs.
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Marstaller L, Fynes-Clinton S, Burianová H, Reutens DC. Salience and default-mode network connectivity during threat and safety processing in older adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:14-23. [PMID: 32936998 PMCID: PMC7721242 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The appropriate assessment of threat and safety is important for decision‐making but might be altered in old age due to neurobiological changes. The literature on threat and safety processing in older adults is sparse and it is unclear how healthy ageing affects the brain's functional networks associated with affective processing. We measured skin conductance responses as an indicator of sympathetic arousal and used functional magnetic resonance imaging and independent component analysis to compare young and older adults' functional connectivity in the default mode (DMN) and salience networks (SN) during a threat conditioning and extinction task. While our results provided evidence for differential threat processing in both groups, they also showed that functional connectivity within the SN – but not the DMN – was weaker during threat processing in older compared to young adults. This reduction of within‐network connectivity was accompanied by an age‐related decrease in low frequency spectral power in the SN and a reduction in inter‐network connectivity between the SN and DMN during threat and safety processing. Similarly, we found that skin conductance responses were generally lower in older compared to young adults. Our results are the first to demonstrate age‐related changes in brain activation during aversive conditioning and suggest that the ability to adaptively filter affective information is reduced in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Marstaller
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.,Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.,Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Hana Burianová
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.,Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.,Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David C Reutens
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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