Dissertation
Are Differences in Flexible Adaptation of Strategy in a Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task Driven By Demands in Working Memory?
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005337
Abstract
Individuals utilize processes related to cognitive flexibility (CF) to adapt to unexpected changes in the environment and make advantageous decisions in the pursuit of long-term goals.Research into this ability is typically done using a probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) task. PRL tasks typically assume individuals anticipate outcomes by updating and maintaining expectations generated from feedback to identify unexpected changes. This assumption does not consider that PRL tasks allow for cognitive strategies that minimize the amount of information held within working memory (WM) to guide choice while also maintaining the ability to behave in a flexible manner. Currently it is unknown whether individuals flexibly adapt cognitive strategies to meet changing WM demands. To explore the role of WM in the ability to flexibly adapt behavior and strategies, participants completed a modified PRL task in one of two WM-load conditions as well as an operation span (Ospan) task. Behavioral results revealed a relationship between the individual differences in WM capacity, but no effect of the WM-load. Modelling results revealed that although individuals do flexibly adapt strategies as demands change, they may have a propensity to do so in a disadvantageous manner. Additionally, the results of this study found that higher external working memory demands reduced learning rates. Together these results suggest that WM plays a key role in the successful adaptation of behavior and strategy.
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Details
- Title
- Are Differences in Flexible Adaptation of Strategy in a Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task Driven By Demands in Working Memory?
- Creators
- Anthony R Stenson
- Contributors
- Paul Whitney (Advisor)John M. Hinson (Advisor)Hans P.A. Van Dongen (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 58
- Identifiers
- 99901031440601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation