Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others
Moral behavior requires learning how our actions help or harm others. Theoretical accounts of learning propose a key division between "model-free" algorithms that cache outcome values in actions and "model-based" algorithms that map actions to outcomes. Here, we tested the engage...
| Hoofdauteurs: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Formaat: | Journal article |
| Taal: | English |
| Gepubliceerd in: |
National Academy of Sciences
2020
|
| _version_ | 1826280829452550144 |
|---|---|
| author | Lockwood, PL Klein-Flugge, MC Abdurahman, A Crockett, MJ |
| author_facet | Lockwood, PL Klein-Flugge, MC Abdurahman, A Crockett, MJ |
| author_sort | Lockwood, PL |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Moral behavior requires learning how our actions help or harm others. Theoretical accounts of learning propose a key division between "model-free" algorithms that cache outcome values in actions and "model-based" algorithms that map actions to outcomes. Here, we tested the engagement of these mechanisms and their neural basis as participants learned to avoid painful electric shocks for themselves and a stranger. We found that model-free decision making was prioritized when learning to avoid harming others compared to oneself. Model-free prediction errors for others relative to self were tracked in the thalamus/caudate. At the time of choice, neural activity consistent with model-free moral learning was observed in subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), and switching after harming others was associated with stronger connectivity between sgACC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Finally, model-free moral learning varied with individual differences in moral judgment. Our findings suggest moral learning favors efficiency over flexibility and is underpinned by specific neural mechanisms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:19:36Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:7c12c7be-9ae7-411c-8cb0-c7ee9a95039d |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:19:36Z |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publisher | National Academy of Sciences |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:7c12c7be-9ae7-411c-8cb0-c7ee9a95039d2022-03-26T20:54:43ZModel-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming othersJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:7c12c7be-9ae7-411c-8cb0-c7ee9a95039dEnglishSymplectic ElementsNational Academy of Sciences2020Lockwood, PLKlein-Flugge, MCAbdurahman, ACrockett, MJMoral behavior requires learning how our actions help or harm others. Theoretical accounts of learning propose a key division between "model-free" algorithms that cache outcome values in actions and "model-based" algorithms that map actions to outcomes. Here, we tested the engagement of these mechanisms and their neural basis as participants learned to avoid painful electric shocks for themselves and a stranger. We found that model-free decision making was prioritized when learning to avoid harming others compared to oneself. Model-free prediction errors for others relative to self were tracked in the thalamus/caudate. At the time of choice, neural activity consistent with model-free moral learning was observed in subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), and switching after harming others was associated with stronger connectivity between sgACC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Finally, model-free moral learning varied with individual differences in moral judgment. Our findings suggest moral learning favors efficiency over flexibility and is underpinned by specific neural mechanisms. |
| spellingShingle | Lockwood, PL Klein-Flugge, MC Abdurahman, A Crockett, MJ Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title | Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title_full | Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title_fullStr | Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title_full_unstemmed | Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title_short | Model-free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| title_sort | model free decision making is prioritized when learning to avoid harming others |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lockwoodpl modelfreedecisionmakingisprioritizedwhenlearningtoavoidharmingothers AT kleinfluggemc modelfreedecisionmakingisprioritizedwhenlearningtoavoidharmingothers AT abdurahmana modelfreedecisionmakingisprioritizedwhenlearningtoavoidharmingothers AT crockettmj modelfreedecisionmakingisprioritizedwhenlearningtoavoidharmingothers |