Cited by 41Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesDecision-Making and Behavioral EconomicsNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Don't Think, Just Feel the Music: Individuals with Strong Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer Effects Rely Less on Model-based Reinforcement Learning

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Sebold, Miriam, Schad, Daniel J., Nebe, Stephan, Garbusow, Maria, Jünger, Elisabeth, Kroemer, Nils B., Kathmann, Norbert, Zimmermann, Ulrich S. +4 more·2016·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience

Abstract

Behavioral choice can be characterized along two axes. One axis distinguishes reflexive, model-free systems that slowly accumulate values through experience and a model-based system that uses knowledge to reason prospectively. The second axis distinguishes Pavlovian valuation of stimuli from instrumental valuation of actions or stimulus–action pairs. This results in four values and many possible interactions between them, with important consequences for accounts of individual variation. We here explored whether individual variation along one axis was related to individual variation along the other. Specifically, we asked whether individuals' balance between model-based and model-free learning was related to their tendency to show Pavlovian interferences with instrumental decisions. In two independent samples with a total of 243 participants, Pavlovian–instrumental transfer effects were negatively correlated with the strength of model-based reasoning in a two-step task. This suggests a potential common underlying substrate predisposing individuals to both have strong Pavlovian interference and be less model-based and provides a framework within which to interpret the observation of both effects in addiction.

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  • Pavlovian learning facilitates execution of operant behavior through Pavlovian-instrumental transfer, particularly when the response is habitual.

    “Pavlovian learning is known to facilitates execution of operant behavior through Pavlovian-instrumental transfer, particularly when the response is habitual49,50.”

    From Dissociable roles of prefrontal plasticity in decision-making strategy and execution of habitual behavior (2026) · cites this paper as [50]

    The Introduction (page unavailable in our copy) says Pavlovian stimuli can enhance instrumental responding through Pavlovian-instrumental transfer, supporting the first part of the claim. The Results and Additional information (pages unavailable) associate stronger transfer with less model-based decision-making, but report no association with model-free behavior. The paper therefore does not establish that transfer particularly facilitates habitual responses. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Sebold, M., Schad, D. J., Nebe, S., Garbusow, M., Jünger, E., Kroemer, N. B., Kathmann, N., Zimmermann, U. S., Smolka, M. N., Rapp, M. A., Heinz, A., & Huys, Q. J. M.
Affiliations
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
  • University of Potsdam (DE)
  • Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
  • Yale University (US)
  • Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
  • University of Zurich (CH)
Venue
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Published
2016-07-01
Volume
28
Issue
7
Pages
985-995
ISSN
  • 0898-929X (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-8898
OpenAlex
W2289068127
Cited by
41
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3
FWCI
4.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • publish.UP (University of Potsdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Funders
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RA 1047/2-2, ZI 1119/3‐2, FOR1617, HE2597/15‐2, WI709/10-2, WI 709/10-1, HE2597/14-2, HE 2597/13-1, SM 80/7–2, HE2597/13-2, ZI1119/3-1, RA 1047/2-1, /14-2, HE2597/15‐1, /14-1, HE 2597/14-1, SM 80/7-1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer, model-based reinforcement learning, model-free learning, individual differences, addiction, behavioral choice
MeSH terms
Adult, Choice Behavior, Computer Simulation, Conditioning, Classical, Conditioning, Operant, Female, Humans, Individuality, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Models, Psychological, Probability Learning, Reaction Time, Reinforcement, Psychology, Transfer, Psychology, Linear Models, Feedback, Psychological

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