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PLoS Computational Biology May 2022A large literature has accumulated suggesting that human and animal decision making is driven by at least two systems, and that important functions of these systems can...
A large literature has accumulated suggesting that human and animal decision making is driven by at least two systems, and that important functions of these systems can be captured by reinforcement learning algorithms. The "model-free" system caches and uses stimulus-value or stimulus-response associations, and the "model-based" system implements more flexible planning using a model of the world. However, it is not clear how the two systems interact during deliberation and how a single decision emerges from this process, especially when they disagree. Most previous work has assumed that while the systems operate in parallel, they do so independently, and they combine linearly to influence decisions. Using an integrated reinforcement learning/drift-diffusion model, we tested the hypothesis that the two systems interact in a non-linear fashion similar to other situations with cognitive conflict. We differentiated two forms of conflict: action conflict, a binary state representing whether the systems disagreed on the best action, and value conflict, a continuous measure of the extent to which the two systems disagreed on the difference in value between the available options. We found that decisions with greater value conflict were characterized by reduced model-based control and increased caution both with and without action conflict. Action conflict itself (the binary state) acted in the opposite direction, although its effects were less prominent. We also found that between-system conflict was highly correlated with within-system conflict, and although it is less clear a priori why the latter might influence the strength of each system above its standard linear contribution, we could not rule it out. Our work highlights the importance of non-linear conflict effects, and provides new constraints for more detailed process models of decision making. It also presents new avenues to explore with relation to disorders of compulsivity, where an imbalance between systems has been implicated.
Topics: Algorithms; Animals; Decision Making; Reinforcement, Psychology
PubMed: 35511764
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010047 -
Neuron Oct 2018Major changes are underway in the field of perceptual decision-making. Single-neuron studies have given way to population recordings with identified cell types,... (Review)
Review
Major changes are underway in the field of perceptual decision-making. Single-neuron studies have given way to population recordings with identified cell types, traditional analyses have been extended to accommodate these large and diverse collections of neurons, and novel methods of neural disruption have provided insights about causal circuits. Further, the field has expanded to include multiple new species: rodents and invertebrates, for example, have been instrumental in demonstrating the importance of internal state on neural responses. Finally, a renewed interest in ethological stimuli prompted development of new behaviors, frequently analyzed by new, automated movement tracking methods. Taken together, these advances constitute a seismic shift in both our approach and understanding of how incoming sensory signals are used to guide decisions.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Computer Simulation; Decision Making; Humans; Models, Neurological; Neurons
PubMed: 30359608
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.10.017 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Feb 2020Patients, and their families, with Parkinson's disease (PD) and related disorders face many issues, including physical, psychological, social and spiritual. Palliative... (Review)
Review
Patients, and their families, with Parkinson's disease (PD) and related disorders face many issues, including physical, psychological, social and spiritual. Palliative care is an essential part of care from the time of diagnosis, and should be provided by all services involved with the patient and family. Specialist palliative care is able to support the overall care particularly for complex issues-whether symptoms or psychosocial and spiritual problems, ethical and decisions making issues, and at the end of life. This should be in collaboration with other teams, working together to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients and families, supporting the professional teams and enabling patients to be as fully involved in the decisions about their care and at the end of life.
Topics: Decision Making; Humans; Palliative Care; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 32008340
DOI: 10.21037/apm.2019.12.01 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Jul 2021
Topics: Adolescent; Decision Making; Decision Making, Shared; Humans; Patient Participation
PubMed: 34172143
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.04.009 -
Current Biology : CB Jan 2005
Review
Topics: Choice Behavior; Decision Making; Humans; Intention; Models, Psychological; Neurophysiology
PubMed: 15649356
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2004.12.009 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B,... Oct 2023To test the hypotheses that decision making ability declines in old age and that a higher level of cognitive reserve is associated with a reduced rate of decline.
OBJECTIVES
To test the hypotheses that decision making ability declines in old age and that a higher level of cognitive reserve is associated with a reduced rate of decline.
METHODS
As part of an ongoing cohort study, 982 older adults without dementia at study enrollment completed measures of purpose in life and cognitive activity which were used as markers of cognitive reserve. At annual intervals thereafter, they completed 6 tests of decision making.
RESULTS
In a factor analysis of baseline decision making scores, 3 measures (financial/health literacy, financial/health decision making, scam susceptibility) loaded on an "analytic" factor and 3 (temporal discounting small stakes, temporal discounting large stakes, risk aversion) loaded on a "preferences" (for temporal discounting and avoiding risk) factor. During a mean of 4.7 years of follow-up (standard deviation = 2.9), analytic factor scores decreased (mean = 0.042-unit per year, standard error [SE] = 0.006, p < .001) and preferences factor scores increased (mean = 0.021-unit per year, SE = 0.006, p < .001), with a correlation of 0.13 (p < .001) between rates of change. Evidence of an association between cognitive reserve and decision making was mixed with purpose in life related to change in analytic decision making, whereas past (but not current) cognitive activity was related to change in decision making preferences.
DISCUSSION
Decision making analysis and preferences change over time in late life. Change over time in decision making components is relatively independent and differentially related to age and cognitive reserve.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Decision Making; Aging; Cohort Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Delay Discounting
PubMed: 36856705
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad037 -
Journal of Behavioral Addictions Oct 2023People with Gambling Disorder (GD) often make risky decisions and experience cognitive distortions about gambling. Moreover, people with GD have been shown to be overly...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
People with Gambling Disorder (GD) often make risky decisions and experience cognitive distortions about gambling. Moreover, people with GD have been shown to be overly confident in their decisions, especially when money can be won. Here we investigated if and how the act of making a risky choice with varying monetary stakes impacts confidence differently in patients with GD (n = 27) relative to healthy controls (HCs) (n = 30).
METHODS
We used data from our previous mixed-gamble study, in which participants were given the choice of a certain option or a 50/50 gamble with potential gains or losses, after which they rated their confidence.
RESULTS
While HCs were more confident when making certain than risky choices, GD patients were specifically more confident when making risky choices than certain choices. Notably, relative to HCs, confidence of patients with GD decreased more strongly with higher gain values when making a certain choice, suggesting a stronger fear of missing out or "anticipated regret" of missing out on potential gains when rejecting the risky choice.
DISCUSSION
The current findings highlight the potential relevance of confidence and "regret" as cognitive mechanisms feeding into excessive risk-taking as seen in GD. Moreover, this study adds to the limited previous work investigating how confidence is affected in value-based risky contexts.
Topics: Humans; Gambling; Risk-Taking; Decision Making; Choice Behavior; Emotions
PubMed: 37603457
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00041 -
Behavioral Neuroscience Apr 2021One of the most important factors in decision-making is estimating the value of available options. Subregions of the prefrontal cortex, including the orbitofrontal... (Review)
Review
One of the most important factors in decision-making is estimating the value of available options. Subregions of the prefrontal cortex, including the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), have been deemed essential for this process. Value computations require a complex integration across numerous dimensions, including, reward magnitude, effort, internal state, and time. The importance of the temporal dimension is well illustrated by temporal discounting tasks, in which subjects select between smaller-sooner versus larger-later rewards. The specific role of OFC in telling time and integrating temporal information into decision-making remains unclear. Based on the current literature, in this review we reevaluate current theories of OFC function, accounting for the influence of time. Incorporating temporal information into value estimation and decision-making requires distinct, yet interrelated, forms of temporal information including the ability to tell time, represent time, create temporal expectations, and the ability to use this information for optimal decision-making in a wide range of tasks, including temporal discounting and wagering. We use the term "temporal cognition" to refer to the integrated use of these different aspects of temporal information. We suggest that the OFC may be a critical site for the integration of reward magnitude and delay, and thus important for temporal cognition. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Cognition; Decision Making; Delay Discounting; Humans; Prefrontal Cortex; Reward
PubMed: 34060872
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000430 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Mar 2016Shared decision making (SDM), an integrative patient-provider communication process emphasizing discussion of scientific evidence and patient/family values, may improve... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Shared decision making (SDM), an integrative patient-provider communication process emphasizing discussion of scientific evidence and patient/family values, may improve quality care delivery, promote evidence-based practice, and reduce overuse of surgical care. Little is known, however, regarding SDM in elective surgical practice. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize findings of studies evaluating use and outcomes of SDM in elective surgery.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS electronic databases.
REVIEW METHODS
We searched for English-language studies (January 1, 1990, to August 9, 2015) evaluating use of SDM in elective surgical care where choice for surgery could be ascertained. Identified studies were independently screened by 2 reviewers in stages of title/abstract and full-text review. We abstracted data related to population, study design, clinical dilemma, use of SDM, outcomes, treatment choice, and bias.
RESULTS
Of 10,929 identified articles, 24 met inclusion criteria. The most common area studied was spine (7 of 24), followed by joint (5 of 24) and gynecologic surgery (4 of 24). Twenty studies used decision aids or support tools, including modalities that were multimedia/video (13 of 20), written (3 of 20), or personal coaching (4 of 20). Effect of SDM on preference for surgery was mixed across studies, showing a decrease in surgery (9 of 24), no difference (8 of 24), or an increase (1 of 24). SDM tended to improve decision quality (3 of 3) as well as knowledge or preparation (4 of 6) while decreasing decision conflict (4 of 6).
CONCLUSION
SDM reduces decision conflict and improves decision quality for patients making choices about elective surgery. While net findings show that SDM may influence patients to choose surgery less often, the impact of SDM on surgical utilization cannot be clearly ascertained.
Topics: Choice Behavior; Decision Making; Decision Support Techniques; Elective Surgical Procedures; Humans
PubMed: 26645531
DOI: 10.1177/0194599815620558 -
Trends in Neurosciences Jan 2016Human choice behaviors during social interactions often deviate from the predictions of game theory. This might arise partly from the limitations in the cognitive... (Review)
Review
Human choice behaviors during social interactions often deviate from the predictions of game theory. This might arise partly from the limitations in the cognitive abilities necessary for recursive reasoning about the behaviors of others. In addition, during iterative social interactions, choices might change dynamically as knowledge about the intentions of others and estimates for choice outcomes are incrementally updated via reinforcement learning. Some of the brain circuits utilized during social decision making might be general-purpose and contribute to isomorphic individual and social decision making. By contrast, regions in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and temporal parietal junction (TPJ) might be recruited for cognitive processes unique to social decision making.
Topics: Decision Making; Game Theory; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Prefrontal Cortex; Reinforcement, Psychology
PubMed: 26688301
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2015.11.002