Scientific article
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English

Multiple timescales of learning indicated by changes in evidence-accumulation processes during perceptual decision-making

Published innpj science of learning, vol. 8, no. 1
First online date2023-06-08
Abstract

Evidence accumulation models have enabled strong advances in our understanding of decision-making, yet their application to examining learning has not been common. Using data from participants completing a dynamic random dot-motion direction discrimination task across four days, we characterized alterations in two components of perceptual decision-making (Drift Diffusion Model drift rate and response boundary). Continuous-time learning models were applied to characterize trajectories of performance change, with different models allowing for varying dynamics. The best-fitting model included drift rate changing as a continuous, exponential function of cumulative trial number. In contrast, response boundary changed within each daily session, but in an independent manner across daily sessions. Our results highlight two different processes underlying the pattern of behavior observed across the entire learning trajectory, one involving a continuous tuning of perceptual sensitivity, and another more variable process describing participants' threshold of when enough evidence is present to act.

Funding
  • United States Department of Defense | United States Navy | Office of Naval Research (ONR) [ONR N00014-20-1-2074]
Citation (ISO format)
COCHRANE, Aaron et al. Multiple timescales of learning indicated by changes in evidence-accumulation processes during perceptual decision-making. In: npj science of learning, 2023, vol. 8, n° 1. doi: 10.1038/s41539-023-00168-9
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Article (Published version)
Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41539-023-00168-9
Journal ISSN2056-7936
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23downloads

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