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Memory and decision making interact to shape the value of unchosen options

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Listed:
  • Natalie Biderman

    (Columbia University)

  • Daphna Shohamy

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University)

Abstract

The goal of deliberation is to separate between options so that we can commit to one and leave the other behind. However, deliberation can, paradoxically, also form an association in memory between the chosen and unchosen options. Here, we consider this possibility and examine its consequences for how outcomes affect not only the value of the options we chose, but also, by association, the value of options we did not choose. In five experiments (total n = 612), including a preregistered experiment (n = 235), we found that the value assigned to unchosen options is inversely related to their chosen counterparts. Moreover, this inverse relationship was associated with participants’ memory of the pairs they chose between. Our findings suggest that deciding between options does not end the competition between them. Deliberation binds choice options together in memory such that the learned value of one can affect the inferred value of the other.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalie Biderman & Daphna Shohamy, 2021. "Memory and decision making interact to shape the value of unchosen options," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24907-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24907-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole M. Long, 2023. "The intersection of the retrieval state and internal attention," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Mo, Fei & Han, Wenchen, 2024. "Long homogeneous payoff records with the latest strategy promotes the cooperation," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 476(C).

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