title: Prediction and control in a dynamic environment.
abstract: The present study compared the accuracy of cue-outcome knowledge gained during prediction-based and control-based learning in stable and unstable dynamic environments. Participants either learnt to make cue-interventions in order to control an outcome, or learnt to predict the outcome from observing changes to the cue values. Study 1 (N = 60) revealed that in tests of control, after a short period of familiarization, performance of Predictors was equivalent to Controllers. Study 2 (N = 28) showed that Controllers showed equivalent task knowledge when to compared to Predictors. Though both Controllers and Predictors showed good performance at test, overall Controllers showed an advantage. The cue-outcome knowledge acquired during learning was sufficiently flexible to enable successful transfer to tests of control and prediction.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Experimental Psychology Centre, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary College, University of London London, UK.
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speekenbrink