Rational regulation of learning dynamics by pupil-linked arousal systems.
The ability to make inferences about the current state of a dynamic process requires ongoing assessments of the stability and reliability of data generated by that process. We found that these assessments, as defined by a normative model, were reflected in nonluminance-mediated changes in pupil diameter of human subjects performing a predictive-inference task. Brief changes in pupil diameter reflected assessed instabilities in a process that generated noisy data. Baseline pupil diameter reflected the reliability with which recent data indicate the current state of the data-generating process and individual differences in expectations about the rate of instabilities. Together these pupil metrics predicted the influence of new data on subsequent inferences. Moreover, a task- and luminance-independent manipulation of pupil diameter predictably altered the influence of new data. Thus, pupil-linked arousal systems can help to regulate the influence of incoming data on existing beliefs in a dynamic environment.
Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Matthew R
MR
Nassar
Katherine M
KM
Rumsey
Robert C
RC
Wilson
Kinjan
K
Parikh
Benjamin
B
Heasly
Joshua I
JI
Gold
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult