Memory Beliefs Drive the Memory Bias on Value-based Decisions

Scientific Reports
Tehilla Mechera-Ostrovsky, Sebastian Gluth

Abstract

For many value-based decisions, people need to retrieve relevant information from their memory. In our previous work, we have shown that memory biases decisions in the sense that better-memorized choice options are preferred, even if these options are comparatively unattractive. However, the cognitive mechanisms that drive this memory bias remain unclear. In the current pre-registered study, we tested the hypothesis that the memory bias arises because people believe they remember better options more often than worse options. Specifically, we predicted a positive correlation between the memory bias on value-based decisions and the belief in value-dependent memory performance. This prediction was confirmed. Additional exploratory analyses revealed that memory performance was indeed higher for more attractive options, indicating that letting decisions be influenced by memory can be an adaptive strategy. However, the memory bias persisted after correcting for this effect, suggesting that it is not simply an artifact of unequal memory performance. Our results highlight a critical influence of beliefs on behavior and add to an emerging understanding of the role of memory in shaping value-based decisions.

References

Aug 25, 2001·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·S Hamann
Feb 28, 2002·Psychological Review·Daniel G Goldstein, Gerd Gigerenzer
Dec 24, 2005·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Kevin S LaBar, Roberto Cabeza
Feb 16, 2006·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition·Tobias Richter, Pamela Späth
May 6, 2006·Neuron·R Alison AdcockJohn D E Gabrieli
Nov 14, 2006·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Lila Davachi
Apr 10, 2007·Annual Review of Neuroscience·H EichenbaumC Ranganath
Sep 11, 2010·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Daphna Shohamy, R Alison Adcock
Sep 14, 2010·Nature Neuroscience·Ian KrajbichAntonio Rangel
Jul 7, 2012·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Dino J Levy, Paul W Glimcher
Jan 3, 2013·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Sabrina BollChristian Büchel
Apr 1, 2014·Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience·Michael S CohenBarbara J Knowlton
Jul 21, 2015·Nature Neuroscience·Maël LebretonMathias Pessiglione
Mar 11, 2016·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·G Elliott Wimmer, Christian Büchel
Jun 3, 2016·Neuron·Michael N Shadlen, Daphna Shohamy
Dec 31, 2016·Brain Sciences·Regina A Weilbächer, Sebastian Gluth
Apr 4, 2017·Psychological Review·Daniel W Heck, Edgar Erdfelder
Apr 11, 2017·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition·Michael S CohenBarbara J Knowlton
Jun 29, 2017·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Howard Eichenbaum

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 6, 2020·Nature Human Behaviour·Sebastian GluthCécile L Vitali
Sep 30, 2020·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Peter M KraemerSebastian Gluth
Oct 23, 2020·Psychological Science·Regina A WeilbächerSebastian Gluth
Jun 25, 2021·Cognition·Regina Agnes WeilbächerSebastian Gluth
Sep 17, 2021·Learning & Memory·Rotem Botvinik-NezerTom Schonberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

script
package pwr
R
Adaptive Toolbox
package lavaan
Cogent 2000
MATLAB

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The New England Journal of Medicine
G B Hutchison, K J Rothman
Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition
Fedor LevinBernd Weber
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved