Outcome expectancy and suboptimal risky choice in nonhuman primates. 2020

Travis R Smith, and Michael J Beran
Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 492 Bluemont Hall, 1114 Mid-Campus Dr North, Manhattan, KS, 66506-5302, USA. smith.travis.r@gmail.com.

Animals will favor a risky option when a stimulus signaling reward bridges the choice and the outcome. The present experiments investigated signal-induced risky choices and reward-outcome expectations in rhesus and capuchin monkeys. Risky choice was assessed by preference for a large-probabilistic reward over a modest-certain reward. Outcome expectancy was assessed by providing a truncation-response to shorten the delay period. In Experiment 1 both species generally favored the risky option compared to a safe option when the outcomes were signaled and generally shortened the delays except when a signaled-loss stimulus was presented. The use of the delay-truncation response suggested that the monkeys were sensitive to the information conveyed by the stimulus. Experiments 2 and 3 were designed to investigate whether the delay-truncation response used by capuchin monkeys was strategically used reflecting explicit decision-making versus a conditioned response to reward stimuli. A perceptual judgment task was included and the selective use of the delay-truncation response on unsignaled correct trials may suggest the involvement of metacognitive processes. The capuchin monkeys generally truncated the delays except under conditions where reward would not be expected (risky-loss or incorrect-judgment). When the outcomes were unsignaled during the delay some capuchin monkeys were less likely to truncate the delay following an incorrect task response. Overall, the monkeys: (1) made more risky choices when the outcomes were signaled - consistent with gambling-like behavior. (2) selectively truncated the unsignaled delays when rewards could be anticipated (even when metacognitive-like awareness guided anticipation) - suggesting that delay truncation responses reflect explicit outcome expectancy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007600 Judgment The process of discovering or asserting an objective or intrinsic relation between two objects or concepts; a faculty or power that enables a person to make judgments; the process of bringing to light and asserting the implicit meaning of a concept; a critical evaluation of a person or situation. Judgement,Judgements,Judgments
D008253 Macaca mulatta A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans. Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D002428 Cebus A genus of the family CEBIDAE, subfamily CEBINAE, consisting of gracile or untufted capuchin species. Tufted capuchins belong to genus SAPAJUS. Members include C. capucinus, C. nigrivultatus, and C. albifrons. Cebus inhabits the forests of Central and South Americas. Cebu,Gracile Capuchins,Monkey, Capuchin,Monkey, Ring-Tail,Monkey, Ringtail,Monkey, Ringtailed,Untufted Capuchins,White-Fronted Capuchin,Monkey, Ring-Tailed,Capuchin Monkey,Capuchin Monkeys,Capuchin, Gracile,Capuchin, Untufted,Capuchin, White-Fronted,Gracile Capuchin,Monkey, Ring Tail,Monkey, Ring Tailed,Ring-Tail Monkey,Ring-Tail Monkeys,Ring-Tailed Monkey,Ring-Tailed Monkeys,Ringtail Monkey,Ringtail Monkeys,Ringtailed Monkey,Ringtailed Monkeys,Untufted Capuchin,White Fronted Capuchin,White-Fronted Capuchins
D002755 Choice Behavior The act of making a selection among two or more alternatives, usually after a period of deliberation. Approach Behavior,Approach Behaviors,Behavior, Approach,Behavior, Choice,Behaviors, Approach,Behaviors, Choice,Choice Behaviors
D005715 Gambling An activity distinguished primarily by an element of risk in trying to obtain a desired goal, e.g., playing a game of chance for money. Pathological Gambling,Gambling, Pathologic,Gambling, Pathological,Gamblings,Gamblings, Pathological,Pathological Gamblings
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012201 Reward An object or a situation that can serve to reinforce a response, to satisfy a motive, or to afford pleasure. Rewards

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