The effect of changes in effort on risk-sensitive foraging
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Baine Craft, Ph.D.
Presentation Type
Event
Project Type
Completed quantitative research study
Primary Department
Psychology
Description
Previous research revealed that rats making responses in running wheels displayed changes in risk-sensitivity when effort is manipulated. However, research has not examined the effects of effort on choice when using a lever-press response. We used a within-subjects design to explore rats' (n = 10) preference for variable or fixed reward options as effort required to press a lever increased. Effort was increased each lever from 10 g to 70 g. We hypothesized that rats would favor the variable option as effort increased. Although, the data did not reveal that rats' choices were significantly altered due to the effort conditions.
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Additional Rights Information
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The effect of changes in effort on risk-sensitive foraging
Previous research revealed that rats making responses in running wheels displayed changes in risk-sensitivity when effort is manipulated. However, research has not examined the effects of effort on choice when using a lever-press response. We used a within-subjects design to explore rats' (n = 10) preference for variable or fixed reward options as effort required to press a lever increased. Effort was increased each lever from 10 g to 70 g. We hypothesized that rats would favor the variable option as effort increased. Although, the data did not reveal that rats' choices were significantly altered due to the effort conditions.