Abstract
We need to be able to learn new behaviour, but also be capable of changing existing routines, when they start conflicting with our long-term goals. Little is known about to what extent blank-slate learning of new and adjustment of existing behavioural routines rely on different neural and bodily mechanisms. In the current study, participants first acquired novel stimulus–response contingencies, which were subsequently randomly changed to create the need for flexible adjustments. We measured midfrontal theta oscillations via EEG as an indicator of neural conflict processing, as well as heart rate as a proxy of autonomic activity. Participants’ trial-wise learning progress was estimated via computation modelling. Theta power and heart rate significantly differed between correct and incorrect trials. Differences between correct and incorrect trials in both neural and cardiac feedback processing were more pronounced for adjustments compared to blank-slate learning. This indicates that both midfrontal and cardiac processing are sensitive to changes in stimulus–response contingencies. Increases in individual learning rates predicted lower impact of performance feedback on midfrontal theta power, but higher impact on heart rate. This suggests that cardiac and midfrontal reactivity are partially reflective of different mechanisms related to feedback learning. Our results shed new light on the role of neural and autonomic mechanisms for learning and behavioural adjustments.
Highlights
Learning new behavioural patterns is necessary to efficiently deal with reoccurring challenges
From the beginning to the end of the adjustment phase, errors again significantly decreased, t(23) = 12.66, p < .001, d = 2.58, Bayes Factors (BF) ⟩ 106. This indicates that the changes in stimulus–response associations interfered with performance, but that participants were able to change their response patterns during the adjustment phase
We found no significant relation between learning progress and heart rate for incorrect trials, b = −0.44, ci = [−2.96, 2.05], p =
Summary
Learning new behavioural patterns is necessary to efficiently deal with reoccurring challenges. An inflexible reliance on existing response patterns can be detrimental. When changing circumstances render a previously learned behaviour as no longer appropriate, we need to be able to change it. Both the acquisition of new, as well as the adjustment of existing stimulus–response associations are crucial skills in our lives. It is still unclear if the initial acquisition and subsequent alteration of response patterns should be seen as the same or as separate cognitive processes. The current study investigates the differences between blank-slate learning of new and adjustment learning of existing stimulus–response associations with respect to their underlying mechanisms in the central and autonomic nervous system
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