scholarly journals Lapses in perceptual decisions reflect exploration

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sashank Pisupati ◽  
Lital Chartarifsky-Lynn ◽  
Anup Khanal ◽  
Anne K Churchland
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Strategic Trade ◽  
Evidence Strength ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Brain States

Perceptual decision-makers often display a constant rate of errors independent of evidence strength. These 'lapses' are treated as a nuisance arising from noise tangential to the decision, e.g. inattention or motor errors. Here, we use a multisensory decision task in rats to demonstrate that these explanations cannot account for lapses' stimulus dependence. We propose a novel explanation: lapses reflect a strategic trade-off between exploiting known rewarding actions and exploring uncertain ones. We tested this model's predictions by selectively manipulating one action's reward magnitude or probability. As uniquely predicted by this model, changes were restricted to lapses associated with that action. Finally, we show that lapses are a powerful tool for assigning decision-related computations to neural structures based on disruption experiments (here, posterior striatum and secondary motor cortex). These results suggest that lapses reflect an integral component of decision-making and are informative about action values in normal and disrupted brain states.

scholarly journals Lapses in perceptual decisions reflect exploration

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sashank Pisupati ◽  
Lital Chartarifsky-Lynn ◽  
Anup Khanal ◽  
Anne K. Churchland
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Reward Magnitude ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Strategic Trade ◽  
Evidence Strength ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Brain States

ABSTRACTPerceptual decision-makers often display a constant rate of errors independent of evidence strength. These “lapses” are treated as a nuisance arising from noise tangential to the decision, e.g. inattention or motor errors. Here, we use a multisensory decision task in rats to demonstrate that these explanations cannot account for lapses’ stimulus dependence. We propose a novel explanation: lapses reflect a strategic trade-off between exploiting known rewarding actions and exploring uncertain ones. We tested the model’s predictions by selectively manipulating one action’s reward magnitude or probability. As uniquely predicted by this model, changes were restricted to lapses associated with that action. Finally, we show that lapses are a powerful tool for assigning decision-related computations to neural structures based on disruption experiments (here, posterior striatum and secondary motor cortex). These results suggest that lapses reflect an integral component of decision-making and are informative about action values in normal and disrupted brain states.

Evaluating Risk-Propensity Assessment Methods: Patterns in Repeated Exposure to Emotional Stimuli

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-287
Author(s):  
Sahinya Susindar ◽  
Harrison Wissel-Littmann ◽  
Terry Ho ◽  
Thomas K. Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Risk Propensity ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Comparison Results

In studying naturalistic human decision-making, it is important to understand how emotional states shape decision-making processes and outcomes. Emotion regulation techniques can improve the quality of decisions, but there are several challenges to evaluating these techniques in a controlled research context. Determining the effectiveness of emotion regulation techniques requires methodology that can: 1) reliably elicit desired emotions in decision-makers; 2) include decision tasks with response measures that are sensitive to emotional loading; and 3) support repeated exposures/trials with relatively-consistent emotional loading and response sensitivity. The current study investigates one common method, the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), for its consistency and reliability in measuring the risk-propensity of decision-makers, and specifically how the method’s effectiveness might change over the course of repeated exposures. With the PANASX subjective assessment serving for comparison, results suggest the BART assessment method, when applied over repeated exposures, is reduced in its sensitivity to emotional stimuli and exhibits decision task-related learning effects which influence the observed trends in response data in complex ways. This work is valuable for researchers in decision-making and to guide design for humans with consideration for their affective states.

scholarly journals Reliability Implementation and Cost Trade-off of Product during the Development Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 221 ◽  
pp. 02003
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Weijia Feng ◽  
Huichao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Product Development ◽  
Optimization Model ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Optimal Parameters ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Work Input ◽  
Environmental Adaptability

Modern product needs to meet the reliability requirements during the development process. The reliability in this paper refers to an integral view of a product’s reliability, maintainability, supportability, testability, safety and environmental adaptability. However, during the product development process, the two problems are how to evaluate the implementation and how to determine the work input costs of reliability. This paper proposes a method to evaluate the degree of reliability implementation. And it researches the schemes and targets decision-making method based on trade-off analysis. Through establishing and solving trade-off optimization model, the results can help decision makers find the optimal parameters program and cost goals.

Including decision-makers preferences in the cost-deprivation trade-off during disaster interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Diehlmann ◽  
Patrick Siegfried Hiemsch ◽  
Marcus Wiens ◽  
Markus Lüttenberg ◽  
Frank Schultmann
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Weighted Sum ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
The Cost

Purpose In this contribution, the purpose of this study is to extend the established social cost concept of humanitarian logistics into a preference-based bi-objective approach. The novel concept offers an efficient, robust and transparent way to consider the decision-maker’s preference. In principle, the proposed method applies to any multi-objective decision and is especially suitable for decisions with conflicting objectives and asymmetric impact. Design/methodology/approach The authors bypass the shortcomings of the traditional approach by introducing a normalized weighted sum approach. Within this approach, logistics and deprivation costs are normalized with the help of Nadir and Utopia points. The weighting factor represents the preference of a decision-maker toward emphasizing the reduction of one cost component. The authors apply the approach to a case study for hypothetical water contamination in the city of Berlin, in which authorities select distribution center (DiC) locations to supply water to beneficiaries. Findings The results of the case study highlight that the decisions generated by the approach are more consistent with the decision-makers preferences while enabling higher efficiency gains. Furthermore, it is possible to identify robust solutions, i.e. DiCs opened in each scenario. These locations can be the focal point of interest during disaster preparedness. Moreover, the introduced approach increases the transparency of the decision by highlighting the cost-deprivation trade-off, together with the Pareto-front. Practical implications For practical users, such as disaster control and civil protection authorities, this approach provides a transparent focus on the trade-off of their decision objectives. The case study highlights that it proves to be a powerful concept for multi-objective decisions in the domain of humanitarian logistics and for collaborative decision-making. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, the present study is the first to include preferences in the cost-deprivation trade-off. Moreover, it highlights the promising option to use a weighted-sum approach to understand the decisions affected by this trade-off better and thereby, increase the transparency and quality of decision-making in disasters.

The Poliheuristic Theory of Crisis Decision Making and Applied Decision Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inbal Hakman ◽  
Alex Mintz ◽  
Steven B. Redd
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Analysis ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Choice Sets ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Choice Set

Poliheuristic theory addresses the “why” and “how” of decision making. It focuses on how decision makers use heuristics en route to choice by addressing both the process and the choice related to the decision task. More specifically, decision makers use a two-stage process wherein a more complicated choice set is reduced to one that is more manageable through the use of these heuristics, or cognitive shortcuts. In the second stage, decision makers are more likely to employ maximizing and analytical strategies in making a choice. Poliheuristic theory also focuses on the political consequences of decision making, arguing that decision makers will refrain from making politically costly decisions. While poliheuristic theory helps us better understand how decision makers process information and make choices, it does not specifically address how choice sets and decision matrices were created in the first place. Applied decision analysis (ADA) rectifies this shortcoming by focusing on how leaders create particular choice sets and matrices and then how they arrive at a choice. It does so by first identifying the decision maker’s choice set or decision matrix; that is, the alternatives or options available to choose from as well as the criteria or dimensions upon which the options will be evaluated. ADA then focuses on uncovering the decision maker’s decision code through the use of multiple decision models. Combining poliheuristic theory with ADA allows researchers to more fully explain decision making in general and crisis decision making in particular. An application of poliheuristic theory and ADA to decision making pertaining to the Fukushima nuclear disaster reveals that even in this high-stress crisis environment decision makers followed the two-stage process as predicted by poliheuristic theory. More specifically, in the first stage, decision makers simplified the decision task by resorting to cognitive heuristics (i.e., decision making shortcuts) to eliminate politically damaging alternatives such as voluntary evacuation. In the second stage, decision makers conducted a more analytical evaluation of the compulsory evacuation options.

The trade-off analysis for the mitigation of underwater noise pollution from commercial vessels: Case study – Trans Mountain project, Port of Vancouver, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. 599-617
Author(s):  
Seyedvahid Vakili ◽  
Aykut I Ölcer ◽  
Fabio Ballini
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Multiple Attribute

Although shipping has significant positive effect on human civilization, it introduced negative environmental impacts such as oil, air, and plastic pollutions. Many negative externalities through international and local regulations have been in place, and preventive actions have been taken to monitor and control. However, underwater noise pollution as an emerging negative shipping impact has not been well introduced to society nor appropriately regulated in international scale. Because of traffic density and the presence of sensitive marine species in some parts of the world, the negative social and environmental impacts of underwater noise pollution become more critical. Haro Strait due to high shipping traffic and presence of vulnerable marine species such as Southern Resident Killer Whale is a good example. The majority of ocean-going vessels transiting to Vancouver and vice versa pass through the corridor which includes Haro Strait. Tankers currently represent about 2% of total ship traffic visiting the Port of Vancouver; however, regarding the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project, the traffic density will grow by 11%, which will enhance the adverse impacts of underwater noise pollution on marine mammals. This study, by considering the features and characteristics of the area and the project, proposed four scenarios and modelling. The article by developing simulations and utilizing the Multiple Criteria Decision Making (Multiple Attribute Decision Making) algorithms and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution techniques strives to trade-off between the environmental (noise and CO2 emission) and economical (fuel cost) aspects of the project to enhance the Decision Support System to promote sustainable development. This will help the decision makers to have a multi-dimensional thinking instead of the single-dimensional thinking in addressing and tackling the negative externalities of the Trans Mountain project in the area. Moreover, at the end of each scenario, a sensitivity analysis will be conducted to provide a clean environment for decision makers.

A new approach to aid urban water management decision making using trade-off sacrifice modelled by fuzzy logic

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Lai ◽  
S. Lundie ◽  
N.J. Ashbolt
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Trade Off

An approach to aid decision making for urban water management is presented that is based on the concept of trade-off sacrifice level in pairwise comparisons between criteria, modelled using fuzzy logic. This approach is illustrated by a case study – selection of alternative water supplies for a Sydney household. Four key decision making criteria covering health, economic, environment and technical aspects are selected: annual probability of infection, life cycle energy use, life cycle cost and reliability. The decision making problem is to select between cases with different volume and application of recycled greywater and rainwater in light of the four criteria. Decision maker's preference is expressed by five levels of trade-off sacrifice between pairs of criteria. The decision makers can assign their preferences for sacrifice level by linguistic assessment and the output trade-off weight (TOW). Measures of decision makers' perceived trade-off level are modelled by a rule-based fuzzy logic control system. The final analysis shows the performance for each sacrifice class for each case, to aid overall decision making with stakeholders.

Are Morally Motivated Decision Makers Insensitive to the Consequences of Their Choices?

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Bartels ◽  
Douglas L. Medin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Preference Assessment ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Protected Values ◽  
Quantity Sensitivity

Is morally motivated decision making different from other kinds of decision making? There is evidence that when people have sacred or protected values (PVs), they reject trade-offs for secular values (e.g., “You can't put a price on a human life”) and tend to employ deontological rather than consequentialist decision principles. People motivated by PVs appear to show quantity in-sensitivity. That is, in trade-off situations, they are less sensitive to the consequences of their choices than are people without PVs. The current study examined the relation between PVs and quantity insensitivity using two methods of preference assessment: In one design, previous results were replicated; in a second, PVs were related to increased quantity sensitivity. These and other findings call into question important presumed properties of PVs, suggesting that how PVs affect willingness to make tradeoffs depends on where attention is focused, a factor that varies substantially across contexts.

A Framework for Time-Cost-Quality Optimization in Project Management Problems Using an Exploratory Grid Concept in the Multi-Objective Simulated-Annealing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Alzira Mota ◽  
Paulo Ávila ◽  
Ricardo Albuquerque ◽  
Lino Costa ◽  
João Bastos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Simulated Annealing ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Pareto Optimal Set ◽  
Criteria Weights ◽  
Optimal Set

Time, cost, and quality are the three indispensable factors for the realization and success of a project. In this context, we propose a framework composed of a multi-objective approach and multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) to solve time-cost-quality trade-off optimization problems. A multi-objective Simulated Annealing (MOSA) algorithm is used to compute an approximation to the Pareto optimal set. The concept of the exploratory grid is introduced in the MOSA to improve its performance. MCDM are used to assist the decision-making process. The Shannon entropy and AHP methods assign weights to criteria. The first methodology is for the inexperienced decision-makers, and the second concedes a personal and flexible weighting of the criteria weights, based on the project manager’s assessment. The TOPSIS and VIKOR methods are considered to rank the solutions. Although they have the same purpose, the rankings achieved are different. A tool is implemented to solve a time-cost-quality trade-off problem on a project activities network. The computational experiments are analyzed and the results with the exploratory grid in Simulated Annealing (SA) are promising. Despite the framework aims to solve multi-objective trade-off optimization problems, supporting the decisions of the project manager, the methodologies used can also be applied in other areas.

scholarly journals Trial-to-trial adjustments of speed-accuracy trade-offs in premotor and primary motor cortex

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 665-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Thura ◽  
Guido Guberman ◽  
Paul Cisek
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Task Support ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Sensory Evidence ◽  
Speed Accuracy ◽  
After Error

Recent studies have shown that activity in sensorimotor structures varies depending on the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) context in which a decision is made. Here we tested the hypothesis that the same areas also reflect a more local adjustment of SAT established between individual trials, based on the outcome of the previous decision. Two monkeys performed a reaching decision task in which sensory evidence continuously evolves during the time course of a trial. In two SAT contexts, we compared neural activity in trials following a correct choice vs. those following an error. In dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), we found that 23% of cells exhibited significantly weaker baseline activity after error trials, and for ∼30% of these this effect persisted into the deliberation epoch. These cells also contributed to the process of combining sensory evidence with the growing urgency to commit to a choice. We also found that the activity of 22% of PMd cells was increased after error trials. These neurons appeared to carry less information about sensory evidence and time-dependent urgency. For most of these modulated cells, the effect was independent of whether the previous error was expected or unexpected. We found similar phenomena in primary motor cortex (M1), with 25% of cells decreasing and 34% increasing activity after error trials, but unlike PMd, these neurons showed less clear differences in their response properties. These findings suggest that PMd and M1 belong to a network of brain areas involved in SAT adjustments established using the recent history of reinforcement. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Setting the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) is crucial for efficient decision making. Previous studies have reported that subjects adjust their SAT after individual decisions, usually choosing more conservatively after errors, but the neural correlates of this phenomenon are only partially known. Here, we show that neurons in PMd and M1 of monkeys performing a reach decision task support this mechanism by adequately modulating their firing rate as a function of the outcome of the previous decision.

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