Kilian, Jana (2024) To Switch or Not to Switch: The Influence of Feedback Valence and -Magnitude on Probabilistic Decision-Making. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
![[img]](https://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
JEKilianBachelorThesis.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (435kB) |
Abstract
Making decisions can be complex, wherefore we need to rely on feedback from previous experiences to make sense of situations and to make optimal decisions. This feedback can differ in features, such as in valence (punishment or reward) and magnitude (large or small). This study examines how the valence and magnitude of feedback influence decision-making by looking at how individuals behave after receiving feedback (stay with current choice or switch to alternative). An increase in choosing the more rewarding option and a decrease in switching to alternatives would indicate successful behavioural adjustment. In a probabilistic learning paradigm of 30 sets à 20 trials, 41 participants learn to accurately choose a set-winning stimulus category and to reduce their switch behaviour despite unknown reward probability. Within a set, participants switch stimulus categories less often as trials progress suggesting that the informative value of feedback might change over time. We found that valence and magnitude both influence switching significantly. Negative feedback leads to a higher switching proportion, with big punishments increasing switching in comparison to small punishments. In contrast, positive feedback decreases the switch behaviour, with big rewards leading participants to switch less compared to small rewards. There is an interaction between magnitude and valence. It remains to be investigated what kind of cognitive strategies the participants use and how they integrate the feedback history into the decision-making process.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Lorist, M.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jun 2024 09:11 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jun 2024 09:11 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3519 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |