TY - JOUR
T1 - Working memory capacity estimates moderate value learning for outcome-irrelevant features
AU - Ben-Artzi, Ido
AU - Luria, Roy
AU - Shahar, Nitzan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - To establish accurate action-outcome associations in the environment, individuals must refrain from assigning value to outcome-irrelevant features. However, studies have largely ignored the role of attentional control processes on action value updating. In the current study, we examined the extent to which working memory—a system that can filter and block the processing of irrelevant information in one’s mind—also filters outcome-irrelevant information during value-based learning. For this aim, 174 individuals completed a well-established working memory capacity measurement and a reinforcement learning task designed to estimate outcome-irrelevant learning. We replicated previous studies showing a group-level tendency to assign value to tasks’ response keys, despite clear instructions and practice suggesting they are irrelevant to the prediction of monetary outcomes. Importantly, individuals with higher working memory capacity were less likely to assign value to the outcome-irrelevant response keys, thus suggesting a significant moderation effect of working memory capacity on outcome-irrelevant learning. We discuss the role of working memory processing on value-based learning through the lens of a cognitive control failure.
AB - To establish accurate action-outcome associations in the environment, individuals must refrain from assigning value to outcome-irrelevant features. However, studies have largely ignored the role of attentional control processes on action value updating. In the current study, we examined the extent to which working memory—a system that can filter and block the processing of irrelevant information in one’s mind—also filters outcome-irrelevant information during value-based learning. For this aim, 174 individuals completed a well-established working memory capacity measurement and a reinforcement learning task designed to estimate outcome-irrelevant learning. We replicated previous studies showing a group-level tendency to assign value to tasks’ response keys, despite clear instructions and practice suggesting they are irrelevant to the prediction of monetary outcomes. Importantly, individuals with higher working memory capacity were less likely to assign value to the outcome-irrelevant response keys, thus suggesting a significant moderation effect of working memory capacity on outcome-irrelevant learning. We discuss the role of working memory processing on value-based learning through the lens of a cognitive control failure.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85142050037&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-022-21832-x
DO - 10.1038/s41598-022-21832-x
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C2 - 36385131
AN - SCOPUS:85142050037
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 12
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
IS - 1
M1 - 19677
ER -