Elsevier

Behavioural Brain Research

Volume 436, 5 January 2023, 114112
Behavioural Brain Research

A mechanical task for measuring sign- and goal-tracking in humans: A proof-of-concept study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114112Get rights and content
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open access

Highlights

  • Translation of a rodent Pavlovian conditioned approach task to humans.

  • Eye-tracking and latent profile analysis to characterize sign- and goal-trackers.

  • 3-class solution: sign-trackers, goal-trackers, and intermediate responders.

  • Fit indices indicate good model fit and high confidence in class membership.

  • Behavioral impulsivity predicts class membership, consistent with hypotheses.

Abstract

Cue-based associative learning (i.e., Pavlovian conditioning) is a foundational component of behavior in almost all forms of animal life and may provide insight into individual differences in addiction liability. Cues can take on incentive-motivational properties (i.e., incentive salience) through Pavlovian learning. Extensive testing with non-human animals (primarily rats) has demonstrated significant variation among individuals in the behaviors this type of learning evokes. So-named “sign-trackers” and “goal-trackers” have been examined in many studies of non-human animals, but this work in humans is still a nascent area of research. In the present proof-of-concept study, we used a Pavlovian conditioned approach task to investigate human sign- and goal-tracking in emerging adults. Conditioned behaviors that developed over the course of the task were directed toward the reward-cue and toward the reward location. Participants’ eye-gaze and behavior during the task were submitted to a latent profile analysis, which revealed three groups defined as sign-trackers (n = 10), goal-trackers (n = 4), and intermediate responders (n = 36). Impulsivity was a significant predictor of the sign-tracking group relative to the goal-tracking group. The present study provides preliminary evidence that a simple procedure can produce learned Pavlovian conditioned approach behavior in humans. Though further investigation is required, findings provide a promising step toward the long-term goal of translating important insights gleaned from basic research into treatment strategies that can be applied to clinical populations.

Abbreviations

PavCA
Pavlovian conditioned approach
LPA
latent profile analysis
ST
sign-tracker
GT
goal-tracker
IR
intermediate responder
BIS
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale
CORT
salivary cortisol
DAST
Drug Abuse Screening Test
MAST
Michigan Alcohol Screening Test

Keywords

Pavlovian conditioned approach
Addiction
Incentive salience
Incentive sensitization
Sign-tracking
Associative learning

Data availability

Data will be made available on request.

Cited by (0)

1

Present address: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202 USA.