The Relationship Between Specific Pavlovian Instrumental Transfer and Instrumental Reward Probability

Abstract

Goal-directed behavior is influenced by environmental cues: in particular, cues associated with a reward can bias action choice toward actions directed to that same reward. This effect is studied experimentally as specific Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (specific PIT). We have investigated the hypothesis that cues associated to an outcome elicit specific PIT by rising the estimates of reward probability of actions associated to that same outcome. In other words, cues reduce the uncertainty on the efficacy of instrumental actions. We used a human PIT experimental paradigm to test the effects of two different instrumental contingencies: one group of participants had a 33% chance of being rewarded for each button press, while another had a 100% chance. The group trained with 33% reward probability showed a stronger PIT effect than the 100% group, in line with the hypothesis that Pavlovian cues linked to an outcome work by reducing the uncertainty of receiving it. The 100% group also showed a significant specific PIT effect, highlighting additional factors that could contribute to specific PIT beyond the instrumental training contingency. We hypothesize that the uncertainty about reward delivery due to testing in extinction might be one of these factors. These results add knowledge on how goal-directed behavior is influenced by the presence of environmental cues associated with a reward: such influence depends on the probability that we have to reach a reward, namely when there is less chance of getting a reward we are more influenced by cues associated with it, and vice versa.

Drug cue reactivity involves hierarchical instrumental learning: evidence from a biconditional Pavlovian to instrumental transfer task

“…Several other findings support the hierarchical account of PIT. First, PIT effects are larger when R-O contingencies are partially reliable (33%) compared to fully reliable (100%) (Cartoni et al 2015 ). The S-O-R theory anticipates the opposite finding because the O-R link is weaker in the unreliable condition and so should produce a smaller PIT effect.…”

Appetitive Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer in Participants with Normal-Weight and Obesity

“…The partial reinforcement schedule was intended to make responding more robust to reward extinction in the transfer phase. This has previously been shown to be effective by Cartoni and colleagues [41]. Participants were furthermore instructed that there was no correct choice and that each button was stably associated with one of the three juices.…”

Strong seduction: impulsivity and the impact of contextual cues on instrumental behavior in alcohol dependence

“…In contrast, general PIT denotes that, depending on the motivational valence, Pavlovian cues can moderate instrumental approach and avoidance responses in general independent of reward types. 5 , 6 Thereby, positively valued Pavlovian cues encourage approach tendencies, while negative cues promote inhibition and avoidance actions. 7 PIT is considered to be an essential mechanism in behaviors that are subject to cue-control, such as eating, alcohol use and drug-taking.…”