Models of Learning and Decision-Making: An Inter-Disciplinary Approach

FSER Seminar organized by Stefano Palminteri, from 13 to 18 May, 2024.

Participants

Bahador BAHRAMI (LMU, Université Louis et Maximilien – Munich, Allemagne), Sophie BAVARD (Institut du Cerveau – Paris, France), Bastien BLAIN (Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne – PARIS , France), Anne COLLINS (Berkeley University – Berkeley, États-Unis), Giorgio CORICELLI (University of South California – Los Angeles, États-Unis), Benedetto DE MARTINO (University College – London, Royaume-Uni), Ophelia DEROY (Université d’Hambourg – Hambourg, Allemagne), Claire GILLAN (Trinity College – Dublin, Irlande), Catherine HARTLEY (New York University – New York, États-Unis), Pierre JACQUET (Institut du Psychotraumatisme de l’enfant et de l’adolescent – Paris, France), Anna KONOVA (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge – Massachusetts, Etats-Unis), Stavroula KOUSTA (Nature magazine – Londres, Royaume-Uni), Maël LEBRETON (Paris School of Economics – Paris, France), Jun Seok LEE (EHESS – Paris, France), Amy ORBEN (University of Cambridge – Cambridge, Royaume-Uni), Stefano PALMINTERI (École Normale Supérieure – Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale – Paris, France), Eva POOL (University of Geneva – Genève, Suisse), Daphna SHOHAMY (Columbia University – New York, États-Unis), Chiara VARAZZANI (OCDE – Ivry-sur-Seine, France), Valentin WYART (École Normale Supérieure – Paris, France).

Résumé

Du 13 au 18 mai 2023, le pittoresque domaine des Treilles a accueilli une conférence vibrante intitulée « Modèles d’apprentissage et de prise de décision : une approche interdisciplinaire ». Organisé par Stefano Palminteri et co-organisé par Valentin Wyart, ce rassemblement a réuni d’éminents chercheurs pour se plonger dans le monde multiforme de la prise de décision et de l’apprentissage dans diverses disciplines. L’objectif de cette réunion est de rassembler des experts de renommée mondiale dans l’investigation scientifique de l’apprentissage humain et de la prise de décision. Lors de la rencontre, les intervenants ont présenté des recherches originales autour de trois axes principaux. Le premier concernait notre compréhension actuelle des mécanismes informatiques et cognitifs généraux qui sous-tendent ces processus ; le deuxième axe était en rapport à la conceptualisation et l’investigation des différences interindividuelles à travers le développement neurotypique et atypique ; enfin, le dernier axe était relatif à la manière dont les théories qui en résultent pourront être testées à partir de données correspondant à des comportements complexes et réels.

Summary 

From May 13th to 18th, 2023, the picturesque Domaine Les Treilles hosted an intellectually vibrant conference titled “Models of Learning and Decision-Making: An Inter-Disciplinary Approach.” Organized by Stefano Palminteri and co-organized by Valentin Wyart. This gathering brought together eminent researchers to delve into the multifaceted world of decision-making and learning across various disciplines. The goal of this meeting was to bring together world-renowned experts in the scientific investigation of human learning and decision-making. During the meeting, speakers presented original research around three main axes. The first concerned our current understanding of the general computational and cognitive mechanisms underlying these processes; the second axis was about  the conceptualization and investigation of inter-individual differences through neurotypical and atypical development; finally, the last axis related to the way in which the resulting theories can be tested using data corresponding to complex and real behaviors.

Report

Opening Sessions: Unveiling Cognitive Complexities

The conference began with Stefano Palminteri’s presentation, who embarked on a quest for universal principles of decision-making. His cross-cultural and cross-species comparisons unveiled intriguing commonalities and differences, enriching the discourse on cognitive diversity. Wyart shed light on how cognitive imperfections shape adaptive behaviors in both humans and artificial agents, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of decision-making nuances.

From Goals to Flexibility: Navigating Human Choices

A pivotal session titled “From Rewards to Goals” featured Benedetto De Martino and Anne Collins. De Martino’s discussion on goal-oriented behavior highlighted the intricate relationship between rewards and objectives, while Collins elaborated on the roles of abstraction and uncertainty in choice-making. Together, they revisited the interplay between goals and habits, advocating for a flexible approach to learning in humans.

The Social Dimension: Interactions and Collective Behavior

Social dynamics took center stage with Giorgio Coricelli, Bahador Bahrami, and Sophie Bavard exploring “Social Decision-Making.” Coricelli’s insights into strategizing and attention in games offered a fresh perspective on competitive interactions. Bahrami’s exploration of computational cognitive modeling underscored its potential in predicting collective behavior through inter-individual differences. Bavard’s focus on evidence accumulation in observational learning rounded out this comprehensive examination of social cognition.

Rethinking Scientific Rigor: The Future of Publishing

Stavroula Kousta’s session on “The Future of Publishing” addressed pressing issues in scientific publishing. Her call for publishing reforms aimed at increasing rigor and replicability sparked an engaging open debate.

Computational Psychiatry: Bridging Cravings and Choices

Advances in computational psychiatry were highlighted by Anna Konova, Eva Pool, and Jun Seok Lee. Konova’s exploration of the transition from cravings to choices provided new insights into addiction and decision-making. Pool discussed individual differences in learning affective value and problematic reward-seeking behaviors, while Lee linked compulsivity to maladaptive choice variability, offering a nuanced view of psychiatric conditions.

Exploring Inter-Individual Differences: New Concepts and Tools

The conference delved into the intricacies of inter-individual differences with presentations by Claire Gillan, Maël Lebreton, Amy Orben, Pierre Jacquet, Catherine Hartley, and Bastien Blain. Gillan’s examination of psychiatric ontology and Lebreton’s insights into computational cognitive models set the stage for a rich discussion. Orben’s work on the impact of social media on teen mental health, Jacquet’s focus on early life environments, and Hartley’s investigation of goal-directed behavior development added depth to the discourse. Blain’s analysis of mood responses and model-based learning further highlighted the complexity of human cognition.

Beyond the Lab: Practical Applications

Chiara Varazzani and Ophelia Deroy brought the conversation outside the laboratory, showcasing real-world applications of behavioral sciences. Varazzani’s work with governments worldwide demonstrated the practical impact of behavioral insights on policy-making, while Deroy revisited character psychology, emphasizing its relevance to beliefs about scientific knowledge.

Keynote and Collective Reflection

The keynote by Daphna Shohamy on “(In)decision: How We Use Memory to Resolve Uncertainty” provided a fitting culmination to the conference. Her exploration of the interplay between memory and decision-making illuminated a critical aspect of cognitive science. The final collective discussion, fostered a collaborative reflection on the insights gained and charted a course for future research endeavors.

In summary, the “Models of Learning and Decision-Making: An Inter-Disciplinary Approach” conference was a resounding success, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing our understanding of cognitive processes. The diverse range of topics and perspectives offered a holistic view of the field, paving the way for innovative research and practical applications.