Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models

We investigate simultaneous and sequential choices in starlings, using Charnov's Diet Choice Model(DCM) and Shapiro, Siller and Kacelnik's Sequential Choice Model (SCM) to integrate function and mechanism. During a training phase, starlings encountered one food-related option per trial (A,...

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Main Authors: Freidin, E, Aw, J, Kacelnik, A
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2009
Subjects:
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author Freidin, E
Aw, J
Kacelnik, A
author_facet Freidin, E
Aw, J
Kacelnik, A
author_sort Freidin, E
collection OXFORD
description We investigate simultaneous and sequential choices in starlings, using Charnov's Diet Choice Model(DCM) and Shapiro, Siller and Kacelnik's Sequential Choice Model (SCM) to integrate function and mechanism. During a training phase, starlings encountered one food-related option per trial (A, B or R) in random sequence and with equal probability. A and B delivered food rewards after programmed delays (shorter for A), while R ('rejection') moved directly to the next trial without reward. In this phase we measured latencies to respond. In a later, choice, phase, birds encountered the pairs A–B, A–R and B–R, the first implementing a simultaneous choice and the second and third sequential choices. The DCM predicts when R should be chosen to maximize intake rate, and SCM uses latencies of the training phase to predict choices between any pair of options in the choice phase. The predictions of both models coincided, and both successfully predicted the birds’ preferences. The DCM does not deal with partial preferences, while the SCM does, and experimental results were strongly correlated to this model’s predictions. We believe that the SCMmay expose a very general mechanism of animal choice, and that its wider domain of success reflects the greater ecological significance of sequential over simultaneous choices.
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spelling oxford-uuid:09325a0f-9451-49ba-a42c-e834a2b5ba372022-03-26T09:16:55ZSequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice modelsJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:09325a0f-9451-49ba-a42c-e834a2b5ba37Zoological sciencesEnglishOxford University Research Archive - ValetElsevier2009Freidin, EAw, JKacelnik, AWe investigate simultaneous and sequential choices in starlings, using Charnov's Diet Choice Model(DCM) and Shapiro, Siller and Kacelnik's Sequential Choice Model (SCM) to integrate function and mechanism. During a training phase, starlings encountered one food-related option per trial (A, B or R) in random sequence and with equal probability. A and B delivered food rewards after programmed delays (shorter for A), while R ('rejection') moved directly to the next trial without reward. In this phase we measured latencies to respond. In a later, choice, phase, birds encountered the pairs A–B, A–R and B–R, the first implementing a simultaneous choice and the second and third sequential choices. The DCM predicts when R should be chosen to maximize intake rate, and SCM uses latencies of the training phase to predict choices between any pair of options in the choice phase. The predictions of both models coincided, and both successfully predicted the birds’ preferences. The DCM does not deal with partial preferences, while the SCM does, and experimental results were strongly correlated to this model’s predictions. We believe that the SCMmay expose a very general mechanism of animal choice, and that its wider domain of success reflects the greater ecological significance of sequential over simultaneous choices.
spellingShingle Zoological sciences
Freidin, E
Aw, J
Kacelnik, A
Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title_full Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title_fullStr Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title_full_unstemmed Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title_short Sequential and simultaneous choices: testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
title_sort sequential and simultaneous choices testing the diet selection and sequential choice models
topic Zoological sciences
work_keys_str_mv AT freidine sequentialandsimultaneouschoicestestingthedietselectionandsequentialchoicemodels
AT awj sequentialandsimultaneouschoicestestingthedietselectionandsequentialchoicemodels
AT kacelnika sequentialandsimultaneouschoicestestingthedietselectionandsequentialchoicemodels