Computational Models of Rapid Target Foraging: Reaching in Target Con gurations Containing Clusters

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2020-07-03

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en

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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