Control of free-choice consummatory behavior by absolute reward value

A total of 136 rats were employed in three experiments which assessed the effect of methamphetamine hydrochloride on passive avoidance behavior, on the energizing properties of non-reward in the double runway, and on the decrement in runway performance, which follows a drop in reward value. The drug increased passive avoidance behavior, did not alter the effects of non-reward in the double runway, and reduced the performance decline occasioned by the reward decrement. These results do not support the hypothesis that amphetamines increase emotional reactions; increased passive avoidance behavior resulted because the drug decreased consummatory behavior. The reduction in the performance disruption following the reward shift is consistent with the position that the drug decreases freezing behavior.

Download Full-text

Coherent theta activity in the medial and orbital frontal cortices encodes reward value

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.63372 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Linda M Amarante ◽

Mark Laubach

Keyword(s):

Spectral Analysis ◽

Theta Rhythm ◽

Consummatory Behavior ◽

Field Potentials ◽

Top Down ◽

Cortical Areas ◽

Reward Value ◽

Reward Information ◽

Theta Range ◽

Response Vigor

This study examined how the medial frontal (MFC) and orbital frontal (OFC) cortices process reward information. We simultaneously recorded local field potentials in the two areas as rats consumed liquid sucrose rewards. Both areas exhibited a 4–8 Hz ‘theta’ rhythm that was phase-locked to the lick cycle. The rhythm tracked shifts in sucrose concentrations and fluid volumes, demonstrating that it is sensitive to differences in reward magnitude. The coupling between the rhythm and licking was stronger in MFC than OFC and varied with response vigor and absolute reward value in the MFC. Spectral analysis revealed zero-lag coherence between the cortical areas, and found evidence for a directionality of the rhythm, with MFC leading OFC. Our findings suggest that consummatory behavior generates simultaneous theta range activity in the MFC and OFC that encodes the value of consumed fluids, with the MFC having a top-down role in the control of consumption.

Download Full-text

Rhythmic activity in the medial and orbital frontal cortices tracks reward value and the vigor of consummatory behavior

10.1101/2020.09.22.308809 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Linda M. Amarante ◽

Mark Laubach

Keyword(s):

Reward Magnitude ◽

Local Field ◽

Theta Rhythm ◽

Local Field Potentials ◽

Rhythmic Activity ◽

Consummatory Behavior ◽

Field Potentials ◽

Reward Value ◽

Reward Information ◽

Response Vigor

ABSTRACTThis study examined how the medial frontal (MFC) and orbital frontal (OFC) cortices process reward information to guide behavior. We simultaneously recorded local field potentials in the two areas as rats consumed liquid sucrose rewards and examined how the areas collectively process reward information. Both areas exhibited a 4-8 Hz “theta” rhythm that was phase locked to the lick cycle. The rhythm similarly tracked shifts in sucrose concentrations and fluid volumes, suggesting that it is sensitive to general differences in reward magnitude. Differences between the MFC and OFC were noted, specifically that the rhythm varied with response vigor and absolute reward value in the MFC, but not the OFC. Our findings suggest that the MFC and OFC concurrently process reward information but have distinct roles in the control of consummatory behavior.

Download Full-text

Augustine: On the Free Choice of the Will, On Grace and Free Choice, and Other Writings

10.1017/cbo9780511844720 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Peter King

Keyword(s):

Free Choice ◽

The Will

Download Full-text

Prime Proportion Affects Masked Priming of Fixed and Free-Choice Responses

Experimental Psychology (formerly Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie) ◽

10.1027/1618-3169/a000043 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 360-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Glen E. Bodner ◽

Rehman Mulji

Keyword(s):

Decision Process ◽

Free Choice ◽

Masked Priming ◽

Local Context ◽

Previous Trial ◽

Target Response ◽

Global Context ◽

Sequential Trial

Left/right “fixed” responses to arrow targets are influenced by whether a masked arrow prime is congruent or incongruent with the required target response. Left/right “free-choice” responses on trials with ambiguous targets that are mixed among fixed trials are also influenced by masked arrow primes. We show that the magnitude of masked priming of both fixed and free-choice responses is greater when the proportion of fixed trials with congruent primes is .8 rather than .2. Unconscious manipulation of context can thus influence both fixed and free choices. Sequential trial analyses revealed that these effects of the overall prime context on fixed and free-choice priming can be modulated by the local context (i.e., the nature of the previous trial). Our results support accounts of masked priming that posit a memory-recruitment, activation, or decision process that is sensitive to aspects of both the local and global context.

Download Full-text