The development of human causal learning and reasoning

Nature Reviews Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(5), P. 319 - 339

Published: April 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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Childhood unpredictability and the development of exploration

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(49)

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Early in development, the process of exploration helps children gather new information that fosters learning about world. Yet, it is unclear how childhood experiences may influence way humans approach learning. What influences decisions to exploit known, familiar options versus trying a novel alternative? We found unpredictability, characterized by unpredictable caregiving and unstable living environments, was associated with reduced exploratory behavior. This effect holds while controlling for individual differences, including anxiety stress. Individuals who perceived their childhoods as explored less were instead more likely repeat previous choices (habitual responding). They also sensitive uncertainty than potential rewards, even when yielded lower rewards. examined these effects across multiple task contexts via both in-person (N = 78) online replication 84) studies among 10- 13-y-olds. Results are discussed terms cascading environments on development decision-making early experience subsequent

Language: Английский

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The evolution of sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny: Bridging theory and data

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 14, 2024

Abstract Sensitive periods, in which experiences have a large impact on phenotypic development, are most common early ontogeny. Yet, they may also occur at later ontogenetic stages, such as adolescence. At present, however, we know little about why natural selection favours sensitive periods for some traits ontogeny and others This article synthesizes recent mathematical models empirical studies that explore beyond Across models, observe two general patterns. First, emerge when an organism's uncertainty the environment‐phenotype fit increases developmental stages. Second, cues stages reduce this more than earlier do. In literature, showing tend to be social traits, particularly among mammals. Connecting theory data, hypothesize mammals evolved expect reliable information from peers adolescence current future environment (e.g. dominance, mate value). Finally, highlight gaps our understanding suggest directions strengthening bridges between theoretical of periods. Ultimately, hope synthesis will contribute towards integrative science across biological sciences. Read free Plain Language Summary Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Specifying the timescale of early life unpredictability helps explain the development of internalising and externalising behaviours

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Abstract Early life unpredictability is associated with both physical and mental health outcomes throughout the course. Here, we classified adverse experiences based on timescale which they are likely to introduce variability in children’s environments: variations unfolding over short time scales (e.g., hours, days, weeks) labelled Stochasticity vs longer months, years) Volatility explored how contribute development of problem behaviours. Results indicate that externalising behaviours at age 9 15 internalising were better accounted for by models separated measured ages 3 5. Both specifically Volatility, larger effects These findings interpreted light evolutionary-developmental psychopathology reinforcement learning under uncertainty.

Language: Английский

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Understanding the development of reward learning through the lens of meta-learning

Nature Reviews Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(6), P. 424 - 438

Published: April 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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The central role of the individual in the history of brains

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 163, P. 105744 - 105744

Published: June 1, 2024

Every species' brain, body and behavior is shaped by the contingencies of their evolutionary history; these exert pressures that change developmental trajectories. There is, however, another set shape us other animals: those occur during a lifetime. In this perspective piece, we show how two histories are intertwined focusing on individual. We suggest organisms--their brains behaviors--are not solely products genes neural circuitry but individual centers action unfolding in time. To unpack idea, first emphasize importance variation central role biology. then go over "errors time" often make when comparing development across species. Next, reveal an individual's process rather than product presenting case studies. These trajectories as emerging contexts "the actual now" presence past". Our consideration reveals individuals slippery-they never static; they on-going, creative activities. light this, it seems taking seriously essential if aspire to meaningful comparisons circuits within

Language: Английский

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To risk or not: The impact of socioeconomic status on preschoolers’ risky decision‐making for gains and losses

Developmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4)

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Abstract Disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) may affect individuals’ risk preferences, which have important developmental consequences across the lifespan. Yet, previous research has shown inconsistent associations between SES and risky decision‐making, little is known about how this link develops from a young age. The current among first to examine influences preschoolers’ decisions both gain loss frames. Across two studies, children aged 5 6 years (total N = 309, 154 boys) were asked choose certain options. option was more advantageous, equal to, or less advantageous than option. Study 1 revealed that frame, high‐SES ( n 84, 44 chose options sensitive expected value compared low‐SES 78, 42 boys), especially when advantageous. However, difference not significant frame. Supporting potential causal 2 further found experimentally increasing children's 68, 30 by providing additional resources increased their risk‐seeking behavior Overall, our findings suggest an interaction environmental cues (gain vs. loss) early life circumstances shaping preferences. Research Highlights This school backgrounds manipulated influence preferences Children for losses gains; framing effect stronger higher‐SES lower‐SES children. Lower‐SES exhibited fewer behaviors decreased sensitivity of losses, but gains. A temporary boost behavior, values.

Language: Английский

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Unpredictable benefits of social information can lead to the evolution of individual differences in social learning

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: June 15, 2024

Human ecological success is often attributed to our capacity for social learning, which facilitates the spread of adaptive behaviours through populations. All humans rely on learning acquire culture, but there substantial variation across societies, between individuals and over developmental time. However, it unclear why these differences exist. Here, we present an evolutionary model showing that individual in can emerge if benefits are unpredictable. Unpredictability selects flexible programmes allow update their reliance based previous experiences. This flexibility, turn, causes some a population end up consistently relying more heavily than others. We demonstrate this core mechanism three scenarios increasing complexity, investigating impact different sources uncertainty about usefulness learning. Our results show how evolution shape learn from others, with potentially profound effects cultural diversity.

Language: Английский

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A Cross‐Cultural Analysis of Infants' Spatial Attention on the Infant Orienting With Attention (IOWA) Task

Child Development, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 8, 2025

Research with Western samples has uncovered the rapid development of infants' visual attention. This study evaluated spatial attention in 6- to 9-month-old infants living rural Malawi (N = 511; nBoys$$ {n}_{\mathrm{Boys}} $$ 255, nYao$$ {n}_{\mathrm{Yao}} 427) or suburban California, United States 57, 29, nWhite$$ {n}_{\mathrm{White}} 37) 2018-2019. Using Infant Orienting With Attention (IOWA) task, results showed that were faster and more accurate fixate a target when cue validly predicted location slower less was invalid. However, compared US infants, Malawian took longer accurate. These both provide information about an underrepresented population demonstrate differences different lived experiences.

Language: Английский

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Statistical Machine-Learning Methods to Model Brain Plasticity

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 20, 2025

Abstract This chapter discusses statistical machine-learning (ML) approaches to model brain plasticity, which involves complex changes in the due natural or induced causes. The highlights various advantages that ML models have compared with traditional of plasticity. Since plasticity can be analyzed at levels granularity, this several starting some examples most traditionally studied, is, visual and motor control systems synaptic for memory throughout mammalian neocortex. Then are discussed contexts scales, including main aspects considered multiscale modeling, specific information about neuron level, cortical column, as a result development. Following this, modeling plasticity’s effect on higher-level cognitive functions, specifically those related behavior, cognition, learning, decision making, intelligence, memory. Plasticity when it results from trauma damage is then reviewed. concludes by reviewing open research questions future directions

Language: Английский

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