Bursts and heavy tails in temporal and sequential dynamics of foraging decisions.

ABSTRACT: A fundamental understanding of behavior requires predicting when and what an individual will choose. However, the actual temporal and sequential dynamics of successive choices made among multiple alternatives remain unclear. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that there is a general bursting property in both the timing and sequential patterns of foraging decisions. We conducted a foraging experiment in which rats chose among four different foods over a continuous two-week time period. Regarding when choices were made, we found bursts of rapidly occurring actions, separated by time-varying inactive periods, partially based on a circadian rhythm. Regarding what was chosen, we found sequential dynamics in affective choices characterized by two key features: (a) a highly biased cho

SUBMITTER: Jung K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4133158 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature