Sweating the small stuff: A meta-analysis of skin conductance on the Iowa gambling task

Edward Stupple,Maggie Gale,David Sheffield,Boban Simonovic

doi:10.3758/s13415-019-00744-w

Edward Stupple, Maggie Gale + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-019-00744-w

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Abstract

To systematically examine the role of anticipatory skin conductance responses (aSCRs) in predicting Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) performance. Secondly, to assess the quality of aSCR evidence for the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH) during the IGT. Finally, to evaluate the reliability of current psychophysiological measurements on the IGT. Electronic databases, journals and reference lists were examined for inclusion. Data were extracted by two reviewers and validated by another reviewer, using a standardised extraction sheet along with a quality assessment. Two meta-analyses of aSCR measures were conducted to test the relationship between overall aSCR and IGT performance, and differences in aSCR between advantageous and disadvantageous decks. Twenty studies were included in this review. Quality assessment revealed that five studies did not measure anticipatory responses, and few stated they followed standard IGT and/or psychophysiological procedures. The first meta-analysis of 15 studies revealed a significant, small-to-medium relationship between aSCR and IGT performance (r= .22). The second meta-analysis of eight studies revealed a significant, small difference in aSCR between the advantageous and disadvantageous decks (r= .10); however, publication bias is likely to be an issue. Meta-analyses revealed aSCR evidence supporting the SMH. However, inconsistencies in the IGT and psychophysiological methods, along with publication bias, cast doubt on these effects. It is recommended that future tests of the SMH use a range of psychophysiological measures, a standardised IGT protocol, and discriminate between advantageous and disadvantageous decks.

Highlights

Learning and decision making in uncertain or ambiguous situations is an important feature of everyday life
The results indicated that anticipatory skin conductance responses (aSCRs) may be reliable in predicting Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) performance
The current review systematically examines two hypotheses related to psychophysiological evidence of aSCR and IGT performance in healthy individuals using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA; Moher et al, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

Learning and decision making in uncertain or ambiguous situations is an important feature of everyday life. Blanchette and Richards (2010) argue that the decision-making process involves several stages: extracting meaning from ambiguous information in order to construct a mental representation (interpretation process); evaluating the evidence, estimating the value and likelihood of the occurrence of differing outcomes (judgement); and drawing inferences and selecting from the available options (choice). According to Damasio (1994), in situations of ambiguity and uncertainty, these somatic markers create an emotional signal about the “goodness” or “badness” of choices. Those options that are marked as good are considered for selection. It is assumed that somatic markers pre-empt or guide cognitive, reason-based choice

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