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Dissociable mechanisms govern when and how strongly reward attributes affect decisions

Author

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  • Silvia U. Maier

    (University of Zurich
    University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
    University of Zurich and ETH Zurich)

  • Anjali Raja Beharelle

    (University of Zurich
    University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)

  • Rafael Polanía

    (University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
    ETH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

  • Christian C. Ruff

    (University of Zurich
    University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)

  • Todd A. Hare

    (University of Zurich
    University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)

Abstract

Theories and computational models of decision-making usually focus on how strongly different attributes are weighted in choice, for example, as a function of their importance or salience to the decision-maker. However, when different attributes affect the decision process is a question that has received far less attention. Here, we investigated whether the timing of attribute consideration has a unique influence on decision-making by using a time-varying drift diffusion model and data from four separate experiments. Experimental manipulations of attention and neural activity demonstrated that we can dissociate the processes that determine the relative weighting strength and timing of attribute consideration. Thus, the processes determining either the weighting strengths or the timing of attributes in decision-making can independently adapt to changes in the environment or goals. Quantifying these separate influences of timing and weighting on choice improves our understanding and predictions of individual differences in decision behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia U. Maier & Anjali Raja Beharelle & Rafael Polanía & Christian C. Ruff & Todd A. Hare, 2020. "Dissociable mechanisms govern when and how strongly reward attributes affect decisions," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(9), pages 949-963, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:4:y:2020:i:9:d:10.1038_s41562-020-0893-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-0893-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Fadong Chen & Jiehui Zheng & Lei Wang & Ian Krajbich, 2024. "Attribute latencies causally shape intertemporal decisions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Iraj Khalid & Belina Rodrigues & Hippolyte Dreyfus & Solène Frileux & Karin Meissner & Philippe Fossati & Todd Anthony Hare & Liane Schmidt, 2024. "Mapping expectancy-based appetitive placebo effects onto the brain in women," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Geoffrey Fisher, 2023. "Measuring the Factors Influencing Purchasing Decisions: Evidence From Cursor Tracking and Cognitive Modeling," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(8), pages 4558-4578, August.

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