Gambling Task Research Articles

First and second languages differentially affect rationality when making decisions: An ERP study

The present study examined how decision-making is affected by first (L1) and second languages (L2), emotion, and cognitive load. In a cross-task study, 30 Chinese-English bilinguals were asked to implement lexical-semantic judgment and gambling task. The results showed that after lexical decisions under high cognitive load, P3 was more positive for negative words than for neutral words in L1. The reverse was the case in the L2 in which P3 was more positive for neutral words compared to negative words. Critically, under high cognitive load, as the P3 effect increased for negative words relative to neutral words, the rationality of the decisions after these negative words decreased in the L1 but increased in the L2. The results moreover revealed that the increased Granger causal strength predicted more rational choices in the L2 high-load negative condition. Altogether, the findings offer evidence of how L1s and L2s can differentially influence rational decision-making.

Functional connectivity in reward-related networks is associated with individual differences in gambling strategies in male Lister hooded rats.

Individuals with gambling disorder display deficits in decision-making in the Iowa Gambling Task. The rat Gambling Task (rGT) is a rodent analogue that can be used to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying gambling behaviour. The aim of this explorative study was to examine individual strategies in the rGT and investigate possible behavioural and neural correlates associated with gambling strategies. Thirty-two adult male Lister hooded rats underwent behavioural testing in the multivariate concentric square field™ (MCSF) and the novel cage tests, were trained on and performed the rGT and subsequently underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI). In the rGT, stable gambling strategies were found with subgroups of rats that preferred the suboptimal safest choice as well as the disadvantageous choice, that is, the riskiest gambling strategy. R-fMRI results revealed associations between gambling strategies and brain regions central for reward networks. Moreover, rats with risky gambling strategies differed from those with strategic and intermediate strategies in brain functional connectivity. No differences in behavioural profiles, as assessed with the MCSF and novel cage tests, were observed between the gambling strategy groups. In conclusion, stable individual differences in gambling strategies were found. Intrinsic functional connectivity using R-fMRI provides novel evidence to support the notion that individual differences in gambling strategies are associated with functional connectivity in brain regions important for reward networks.

The role of urban greenspace in children’s reward and punishment sensitivity

ABSTRACT According to Life History Theory, environments with abundant and reliable resources encourage ‘slow’ (deliberative) strategies that are low-risk and focused on long-term outcomes. Arguably, greener neighbourhoods may approximate such environments, especially in urban settings. This study used the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study to investigate the role of greenness of the child’s immediate residential area at ages 9 months and 3, 5, 7, and 11 years in reward and punishment sensitivity, measured using the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT), at age 11 years. Our sample was the children who lived in urban areas at all five time-points and with data on the CGT at the fifth (n = 5,012). Consistent with Life History Theory, we found that children in the least green areas were more likely to engage in ‘fast’ decision strategies than other children: they showed higher sensitivity to reward (or lower sensitivity to punishment). This association was robust to adjustment for confounders.

Executive control by fronto-parietal activity explains counterintuitive decision behavior in complex value-based decision-making

In real life, humans make decisions by taking into account multiple independent factors, such as delay and probability. Cognitive psychology suggests that cognitive control mechanisms play a key role when facing such complex task conditions. However, in value-based decision-making, it still remains unclear to what extent cognitive control mechanisms become essential when the task condition is complex. In this study, we investigated decision-making behaviors and underlying neural mechanisms using a multifactor gambling task where participants simultaneously considered probability and delay. Decision-making behavior in the multifactor task was modulated by both probability and delay. The behavioral effect of probability was stronger than delay, consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, in a subset of conditions that recruited fronto-parietal activations, reaction times were paradoxically elongated despite lower probabilistic uncertainty. Notably, such a reaction time elongation did not occur in control tasks involving single factors. Meta-analysis of brain activations suggested an interpretation that the paradoxical increase of reaction time may be associated with strategy switching. Consistent with this interpretation, logistic regression analysis of the behavioral data suggested a presence of multiple decision strategies. Taken together, we found that a novel complex value-based decision-making task cause prominent activations in fronto-parietal cortex. Furthermore, we propose that these activations can be interpreted as recruitment of cognitive control system in complex situations.

Decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the study was to examine decision-making and impulsivity in patients with alcohol dependence with or without comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to controls. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 28 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) only, 30 with ADS with ADHD, and 28 healthy controls were recruited. All the participants were evaluated on Iowa Gambling Task, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, and Barrett Impulsivity Scale to assess decision-making, risk-taking, and impulsivity respectively. Results Repeated measure ANOVA indicated that both ADS only and ADS with ADHD groups had poorer decision-making as compared to healthy controls, with small effect sizes. One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the maladaptive risk-taking across ADS only, ADS with ADHD and healthy control groups. Similarly, there were significant differences in attention impulsivity and motor impulsivity between the groups. No relationship was found between decision-making and impulsivity. Conclusions Alcohol dependent patients had impaired decision-making and impulsivity irrespective of comorbid ADHD. Thus, risk-taking and decision-making may be cognitive markers of alcohol dependence syndrome itself.

Relationship between motor learning and gambling propensity in Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction The basal ganglia and related dopaminergic cortical areas are important neural systems underlying motor learning and are also implicated in impulse control disorders (ICDs). Motor learning impairments and ICDs are frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nevertheless, the relationship between motor learning ability and ICDs has not been elucidated. Methods We examined the relationship between motor learning ability and gambling propensity, a possible symptom for prodromal ICDs, in PD patients. Fifty-nine PD patients without clinical ICDs and 43 normal controls (NC) were administered a visuomotor rotation perturbation task and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to evaluate motor learning ability and gambling propensity, respectively. Participants also performed additional cognitive assessments and underwent brain perfusion SPECT imaging. Results Better motor learning ability was significantly correlated with lower IGT scores, i.e., higher gambling propensity, in PD patients but not in NC. The higher scores on assessments reflecting prefrontal lobe function and well-preserved blood perfusion in prefrontal areas were correlated with lower IGT scores along with better motor learning ability. Conclusions Our findings suggest that better motor learning ability and higher gambling propensity are based on better prefrontal functions, which are in accordance with the theory that the prefrontal cortex is one of the common essential regions for both motor learning and ICDs.

Task Learnability Modulates Surprise but Not Valence Processing for Reinforcement Learning in Probabilistic Choice Tasks.

The goal of temporal difference (TD) reinforcement learning is to maximize outcomes and improve future decision-making. It does so by utilizing a prediction error (PE), which quantifies the difference between the expected and the obtained outcome. In gambling tasks, however, decision-making cannot be improved because of the lack of learnability. On the basis of the idea that TD utilizes two independent bits of information from the PE (valence and surprise), we asked which of these aspects is affected when a task is not learnable. We contrasted behavioral data and ERPs in a learning variant and a gambling variant of a simple two-armed bandit task, in which outcome sequences were matched across tasks. Participants were explicitly informed that feedback could be used to improve performance in the learning task but not in the gambling task, and we predicted a corresponding modulation of the aspects of the PE. We used a model-based analysis of ERP data to extract the neural footprints of the valence and surprise information in the two tasks. Our results revealed that task learnability modulates reinforcement learning via the suppression of surprise processing but leaves the processing of valence unaffected. On the basis of our model and the data, we propose that task learnability can selectively suppress TD learning as well as alter behavioral adaptation based on a flexible cost-benefit arbitration.

Reward-based decision-making in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis pre- and post-surgery

BackgroundCorrect functioning of the reward processing system is critical for optimizing decision-making as well as preventing the development of addictions and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, apathy, and anhedonia. Consequently, patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy due to unilateral hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-UHS) represent an excellent opportunity to study the brain networks involved in this system. ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to evaluate decision-making and the electrophysiological correlates of feedback processing in a sample of mTLE-UHS patients, compared to healthy controls. In addition, we assessed the impact of mesial temporal lobe surgical resection on these processes, as well as general, neuropsychological functioning. Method17 mTLE-UHS patients and 17 matched healthy controls completed: [1] a computerized version of the Game of Dice Task, [2] a Standard Iowa Gambling Task, and [3] a modified ERP version of a probabilistic gambling task coupled with multichannel electroencephalography. Neuropsychological scores were also obtained both pre- and post-surgery. ResultsBehavioral analyses showed a pattern of increased risk for the mTLE-UHS group in decision-making under ambiguity compared to the control group. A decrease in the amplitude of the Feedback Related Negativity (FRN), a weaker effect of valence on delta power, and a general reduction of delta and theta power in the mTLE-UHS group, as compared to the control group, were also found. The beta-gamma activity associated with the delivery of positive reward was similar in both groups. Behavioral performance and electrophysiological measures did not worsen post-surgery. ConclusionsPatients with mTLE-UHS showed impairments in decision-making under ambiguity, particularly when they had to make decisions based on the outcomes of their choices, but not in decision-making under risk. No group differences were observed in decision-making when feedbacks were random. These results might be explained by the abnormal feedback processing seen in the EEG activity of patients with mTLE-UHS, and by concomitant impairments in working memory, and memory. These impairments may be linked to the disruption of mesial temporal lobe networks. Finally, feedback processing and decision-making under ambiguity were already affected in mTLE-UHS patients pre-surgery and did not show evidence of clear worsening post-surgery.

Supplemental Material for Socioeconomic Status Differences in Children’s Affective Decision-Making: The Role of Awareness in the Children’s Gambling Task

Supplemental Material for Socioeconomic Status Differences in Children’s Affective Decision-Making: The Role of Awareness in the Children’s Gambling Task

Delay discounting in suicidal behavior: Myopic preference or inconsistent valuation?

Prior studies sought to explain the predisposition to suicidal behavior in terms of myopic preference for immediate versus delayed reward, generating mixed evidence. Data from gambling and bandit tasks, however, suggest that suboptimal decisions in suicidal individuals are explained by inconsistent valuation rather than myopic preferences. We tested these two alternative hypotheses using a delay discounting task in 622 adults (suicide attempters with depression, suicide ideators with depression, nonsuicidal participants with depression, and healthy controls) recruited across three sites through inpatient psychiatric units, mood disorders clinics, primary care, and advertisements. Multilevel models revealed group differences in valuation consistencies in all three samples, with high-lethality suicide attempters exhibiting less consistent valuation than all other groups in Samples 1 and 3 and less consistent valuation than the healthy controls or participants with depression in Sample 2. In contrast, group differences in preference for immediate versus delayed reward were observed only in Sample 1 and were due to the high-lethality suicide attempters displaying a weaker preference for immediate reward than low-lethality suicide attempters. The findings were robust to confounds such as cognitive functioning and comorbidities. Seemingly impulsive choices in suicidal behavior are explained by inconsistent reward valuation rather than a true preference for immediate reward. In a suicidal crisis, this inconsistency may result in a misestimation of the value of suicide relative to constructive alternatives and deterrents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Visualization Tools for Monitoring and Debugging a Cognitive Architecture using CST

In this work we address the use of visualization tools for developing intelligent agents built with Cognitive Architectures (CAs). Unfortunately, there are just a few discussions about this issue in the CAs literature. We start by bringing a summary on how this topic is currently being addressed within the community and further introduce our efforts in building visualization tools for both debugging and aiding the understanding of the inner mechanisms of a CA. For this, we propose the MindViewer, a visualization tool for monitoring and debugging CAs constructed with CST, the Cognitive Systems Toolkit. MindViewer encompasses a variety of charts that are used to monitor the inner details of the agents’ mind. Its Web version allows inspect even complex data structures and customize their generated graphics. We exemplify their capabilities through a experimental application based on a robot simulation inspired in Iowa Gambling Task.

Human decision making modelling for gambling task under uncertainty and risk

Human decision making modelling for gambling task under uncertainty and risk

Human decision making modelling for gambling task under uncertainty and risk

Human decision making modelling for gambling task under uncertainty and risk

Development of the Japanese version of the Iowa Gambling Task for PC and its equivalence to the English version

This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) using Psychology Experiment Building Language based on the English version. Additionally, we tested the equivalence of these versions using a biological equivalence test. We randomly assigned 63 undergraduate and graduate students from several Japanese universities to our parallel design experiment. We evaluated equivalence by determining differences between the logs of the number of cards chosen from the advantageous decks in the Japanese and English versions in five blocks. We defined an equivalence margin as ± 30% (log (0.70 = -0.36, log (1/0.70) = 0.36, for log-transformation). All two-sided 90% family-wise confidence intervals in the five blocks were within the equivalence margin. Our results confirmed the equivalence of the Japanese and English versions of the IGT. The Japanese version can be used with the compiled executables and source code without charge. Future comparative studies should evaluate the IGT on Japanese samples or between samples from Japan and other countries.

Is decision-making impairment an endophenotype of anorexia nervosa?

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show impaired decision-making ability, but it is still unclear if this is a trait marker (i.e., being associated with AN at any stage of the disease) or a state parameter of the disease (i.e., being present only in acutely ill patients), and if it has endophenotypic characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the endophenotypic, and state- or trait-associated nature of decision-making impairment in AN. Ninety-one patients with acute AN (A-AN), 90 unaffected relatives (UR), 23 patients remitted from AN (R-AN), and 204 healthy controls (HC) carried out the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Prospective valence learning (PVL) model was employed to distinguish the cognitive dimensions underlying the decision-making process, that is, learning, consistency, feedback sensitivity, and loss aversion. IGT performance and decision-making dimensions were compared among groups to assess whether they had endophenotypic (i.e., being present in A-AN, UR, and R-AN, but not in HC) and/or trait-associated features (i.e., present in A-AN and R-AN but not in HC). Patients with A-AN had lower performance at the IGT (p<0.01), while UR, R-AN, and HC had comparable results. PVL-feedback sensitivity was lower in patients with R-AN and A-AN than in HC (p<0.01). Alteration of decision-making ability did not show endophenotypic features. Impaired decision-making seems a state-associated characteristic of AN, resulting from the interplay between trait-associated low feedback sensitivity and state-associated features of the disease.

Development of a neuropsychological assessment in smoking.

Smoking is one of the causes leading to the development of disease and mortality worldwide. One of the focuses of interest in this area is the impact of smoking on neuropsychological health. However, few studies provide instruments to assess executive functioning in smokers. The purpose of this study was to examine the viability of the internal structure of a neuropsychological battery for the assessment of executive function in smokers. A total of 171 smokers (Mage= 47.44, SDage= 8.48) were assessed. Executive functions were assessed at baseline with measures of inhibition (go/no go task and five digit test), updating (visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing) and shifting (delay discounting task and Iowa gambling task). The exploratory factor analysis obtained a three-component solution of 59.6%. Establishing a first factor composed of visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing, a second factor composed of delay discounting task and go/no go task and a third factor with Iowa gambling task and five digit test. The analysis of the internal structure reflected three factors which are consistent with the structure proposed by Miyake (2000).

Simulation and modeling of human decision-making process through reinforcement learning based computational model involving past experiences

Experience plays a vital role in the decision-making (DM) process. In this paper simulation, modeling, and analysis of past experience over DM has been done using the Iowa gambling task (IGT). The Human DM process is very complex and difficult to model through computational methods because it is a subjective type of process and varies person-to-person. Therefore, this study is an attempt to simulate a DM model similar to the human DM process. For this collection of real data was done and was provided as input to the developed eight Reinforcement Learning (RL) models. The result shows that the performance of the model based on Prospect Utility (PU) learned with Decay Reinforcement Rule (DRI) and Trial Dependency Choice (TDC) is better as compared to other models. It is observed from the analysis of data and also validated that simulation and models output that the experienced group performs better than inexperienced.

Computational basis of decision-making impairment in multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with decision-making, neurocognitive impairments, and mood and motivational symptoms. However, their relationship may be obscured by traditional scoring methods. Objectives: To study the computational basis underlying decision-making impairments in MS and their interaction with neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric measures. Methods: Twenty-nine MS patients and 26 matched control subjects completed a computer version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Participants underwent neurocognitive evaluation using an expanded version of the Brief Repeatable Battery. Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis was used to estimate three established computational models to compare parameters between groups. Results: Patients showed increased learning rate and reduced loss-aversion during decision-making relative to control subjects. These alterations were associated with: (1) reduced net gains in the IGT; (2) processing speed, executive functioning and memory impairments; and (3) higher levels of depression and current apathy. Conclusion: Decision-making deficits in MS patients could be described by the interplay between latent computational processes, neurocognitive impairments, and mood/motivational symptoms.

Decision-making process and negative childhood experience in adolescents with autoagression

BACKGROUND. Analysis of the literature indicates the need for a detailed study of the features of the decision-making process, adverse experiences in childhood, the severity of depression in adolescents with truly suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.&#x0D; AIM. To determine the level of depression, unfavorable childhood experience, the characteristics of the process of forming preferences, the choice of executive actions and the assessment of results in conditions of uncertainty in adolescents with suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS. From September 2019 to May 2020, clinical and experimental psychological methods (semi-structured interview, A. Beck Depression Scale, Columbian Suicidal Intentions Severity Scale, Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, Iowa Gambling Task) examined adolescents from14 to 17 years: 30 persons with suicidal self-harm (mean age 16.1 years, 26 girls, 4 boys) and 32 persons with non-suicidal self-harm (mean age 16.3 years, 26 girls, 6 boys). Statistical processing was carried out using the KolmogorovSmirnov and Liliefors tests, the Leuven test, the MannWhitney U-test, and the two-sided Fisher test.&#x0D; RESULTS. All examined patients showed manifestations of depression of different levels. In the group with suicidal attempts, the manifestations of depression were significantly more pronounced, and they also had significantly more adverse childhood experience factors. The decision-making process is more effective in individuals with non-suicidal self-injurious behavior than in the group with suicidal auto-aggression (although the difference does not reach statistical significance).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS. Thus, we have determined the level of depression, unfavorable childhood experience, peculiarities of the process of formation of preferences, choice of executive actions and assessment of results in conditions of uncertainty in adolescents with suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior.

Decision-making, interoceptive awareness and mindful attention awareness in male patients with alcohol use disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction Decision-making deficits in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may be partly related to their decreased interoceptive awareness (IA), which is associated with some aspects of mindfulness. Methods 52 abstinent male inpatients with AUD (current severity: moderate or severe) and 52 healthy male volunteers performed the heart rate tracking task and a computerised version of the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Trait mindfulness was evaluated with the mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS). Results Heartbeat perception (HBP), MAAS, and IGT scores of patients with AUD were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. The difference between groups with respect to IGT scores did not remain significant after controlling for the covariates, and HBP scores were linked significantly to the subjects’ IGT performance. HBP scores significantly predicted IGT scores of both the overall sample and patients. MAAS scores did not correlate significantly with HBP and IGT scores in either the patient or control group. Conclusion It is possible that IA plays a role in decision-making and decreased interoceptive accuracy is a predictor of impaired decision-making in individuals with AUD. More empirical data are needed to develop a better insight into the relationship between IA and multi-dimensional nature of mindfulness.