title: Linking Individual Learning Styles to Approach-Avoidance Motivational Traits and Computational Aspects of Reinforcement Learning.
abstract: Learning how to gain rewards (approach learning) and avoid punishments (avoidance learning) is fundamental for everyday life. While individual differences in approach and avoidance learning styles have been related to genetics and aging, the contribution of personality factors, such as traits, remains undetermined. Moreover, little is known about the computational mechanisms mediating differences in learning styles. Here, we used a probabilistic selection task with positive and negative feedbacks, in combination with computational modelling, to show that individuals displaying better approach (vs. avoidance) learning scored higher on measures of approach (vs. avoidance) trait motivation, but, paradoxically, also displayed reduced learning speed following positive (vs. negative) outcomes. These data suggest that learning different types of information depend on associated reward values and internal motivational drives, possibly determined by personality traits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kristoffer Carl
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Aberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kimberly C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Doell
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001519:Behavior; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D011336:Probability; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult