Master
English

Individual differences in emotional learning and compulsive reward-seeking behavior

ContributorsPetignat, Cyril
DirectorsPool, Eva
Master program titleMaitrise universitaire en psychologie
Defense date2022
Abstract

In this study, we investigated individual differences in emotional learning using a quasi- Pavlovian task in humans. Gaze direction was recorded to differentiate two categories of individuals exhibiting distinct behaviors during the anticipation of a reward: the sign-tracking, which gazes more intensively at the CS, and the goal-tracking, which gazes more intensively at the location of the US. We investigated whether these groups were dissociable by reinforcement learning models using pupil dilatation to estimate free parameters and compute BIC value. Correlational analysis on transdiagnostic factors were performed to know if the sign-tracking represent a phenotype of vulnerability to compulsive reward seeking-behavior, as it seems to be the case in the animal literature. As results, we found no statistical evidence supporting one model over the other and no significant correlation between the sign-tracking and factor scores. Nevertheless, the task seems to succeed in inducing Pavlovian learning and discriminating sign- tracking and goal-tracking groups.

Citation (ISO format)
PETIGNAT, Cyril. Individual differences in emotional learning and compulsive reward-seeking behavior. Master, 2022.
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Master thesis
accessLevelPrivate
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  • PID : unige:170469
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Creation31/07/2023 08:53:33
First validation31/07/2023 09:59:02
Update time31/07/2023 09:59:02
Status update31/07/2023 09:59:02
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