Goal-Directed and Habit-Like Modulations of Stimulus Processing during Reinforcement Learning.

ABSTRACT: Recent research has shown that perceptual processing of stimuli previously associated with high-value rewards is automatically prioritized even when rewards are no longer available. It has been hypothesized that such reward-related modulation of stimulus salience is conceptually similar to an "attentional habit." Recording event-related potentials in humans during a reinforcement learning task, we show strong evidence in favor of this hypothesis. Resistance to outcome devaluation (the defining feature of a habit) was shown by the stimulus-locked P1 component, reflecting activity in the extrastriate visual cortex. Analysis at longer latencies revealed a positive component (corresponding to the P3b, from 550-700 ms) sensitive to outcome devaluation. Therefore, distinct spatiotemporal pattern

SUBMITTER: Luque D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6596732 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature