Computational Models of Rapid Target Foraging: Reaching in Target Con gurations Containing Clusters
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2020-07-03
Language
en
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Abstract
Decision-making regarding the selection of targets during a sequential reach
task was rst studied by Diamond et al. (2017). In their task, participants
were instructed to harvest as many targets as possible from an evenly-spaced
grid of targets in a short amount of time. A target could be harvested by mov-
ing a cursor, connected to the position of a handle, to that target. Diamond
et al. modelled the observed behavior from an optimal foraging perspective
whereby target selection is shaped by a balance between rewards and costs.
In the real world, targets are not always equally spaced, but clustered in the
environment. In this research project, participants were tested on more re-
alistic target con gurations containing a cluster of targets. Half of the trials
contained a cluster of four targets, at variable locations. The results show
that participants intentionally moved toward the cluster and harvested more
targets in trials containing a cluster. I extended the model by Diamond et al.
with a clustering component that was likely to drive the participant toward
the cluster, if present. The extended model could explain the sequential reach
behavior of 6 of the 11 participants better than the original model.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen