Perceptual learning alters post-sensory processing in human decision making

Diaz, J. A., Queirazza, F. and Philiastides, M. G. (2017) Perceptual learning alters post-sensory processing in human decision making. Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 0035. (doi: 10.1038/s41562-016-0035)

Abstract

An emerging view in perceptual learning is that improvements in perceptual sensitivity are not only due to enhancements in early sensory representations but also due to changes in post-sensory decision-processing. In humans, however, direct neurobiological evidence of the latter remains scarce. Here, we trained participants on a visual categorization task over three days and used multivariate pattern analysis of the electroencephalogram to identify two temporally specific components encoding sensory (‘Early’) and decision (‘Late’) evidence, respectively. Importantly, the single-trial amplitudes of the Late, but not the Early component, were amplified in the course of training, and these enhancements predicted the behavioural improvements on the task. Correspondingly, we modelled these improvements with a reinforcement learning mechanism, using a reward prediction error signal to strengthen the readout of sensory evidence used for the decision. We validated this mechanism through a robust association between the model’s decision variables and the amplitudes of our Late component that encode decision evidence.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Queirazza, Dr Filippo and Philiastides, Professor Marios and Diaz, Jessica
• Authors: Diaz, J. A., Queirazza, F., and Philiastides, M. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Nature Human Behaviour
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2397-3374
• ISSN (Online): 2397-3374
• Published Online: 30 January 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature
• First Published: First published in Nature Human Behaviour 1: 0035
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
65441	1	Neural correlates of learning and confidence during decision making and their utility in developing "intelligent technologies".	Marios Philiastides	Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/L012995/1	INP - CENTRE FOR COGNITIVE NEUROIMAGING