Behavioral correlates of the decision process in a dynamic environment: post-choice latencies reflect relative value and choice evaluation.

ABSTRACT: One characteristic of natural environments is that outcomes vary across time. Animals need to adapt to these environmental changes and adjust their choices accordingly. In this experiment, we investigated the sensitivity with which rats could detect, and adapt to, multiple changes in the environment. Rats chose between two spouts which delivered 5% sucrose rewards with distinct probabilities. Across three phases, reward probabilities changed in size (large or small) and direction (increase or decrease). A discrete trial-structure was used, which allowed the choice process to be decomposed into three distinct response latency measures (choice execution latency, spout sampling duration, and trial-initiation latency). We found that a large decrease in reward probabilities rapidly produced the

SUBMITTER: Fam J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4586275 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature