IS COMPETITIVE PRESSURE NECESSARY FOR LOSS-INDUCED RANDOM BEHAVIOR?
Date
2022
Authors
Byers, Ali
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Successfully navigating unfamiliar environments requires the ability to accurately update and apply a valid mental model of the environment to influence the next best move, and switch to other strategies if necessary. Recent research by Kikumoto & Mayr (2019) has shown that in competitive situations, humans employ model-based choice strategy following immediate positive feedback, but revert to random, stochastic choices following negative feedback. In this study, we attempt to recreate the results these authors found, but in a noncompetitive context. In one experiment measuring human subjects’ likelihood to switch tasks based on positive or negative feedback, we find similar results; participants will make mental models of an unfamiliar situation and repeat an action when rewarded with positive outcomes, but revert to a stochastic choice strategy when faced with negative outcomes, suggesting that this phenomenon is a general cognitive strategy in navigating unfamiliar environments and not exclusive to competition alone.
Description
Keywords
psychology, neuroscience, working memory, competitive pressure