Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28753634›Full record

ArticlePLoS computational biology2017

Dissociating error-based and reinforcement-based loss functions during sensorimotor learning.

Joshua G A Cashaback, Heather R McGregor, Ayman Mohatarem, Paul L Gribble

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS computational biology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 42 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
42citing papers in PubMed
4.5field-weighted citation impact, top 5% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

42 citing papers in PubMed, 99 citations in OpenAlex.

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  5. Online Movements Reflect Ongoing Deliberation.The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience · 2025
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  17. Exploring the role of task success in implicit motor adaptation.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2023
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Joshua G A CashabackBrain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8642-6648
Heather R McGregorBrain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Ayman MohataremDepartment of Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Paul L GribbleBrain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1368-032X
Western University · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

It has been proposed that the sensorimotor system uses a loss (cost) function to evaluate potential movements in the presence of random noise. Here we test this idea in the context of both error-based and reinforcement-based learning. In a reaching task, we laterally shifted a cursor relative to true hand position using a skewed probability distribution. This skewed probability distribution had its mean and mode separated, allowing us to dissociate the optimal predictions of an error-based loss function (corresponding to the mean of the lateral shifts) and a reinforcement-based loss function (corresponding to the mode). We then examined how the sensorimotor system uses error feedback and reinforcement feedback, in isolation and combination, when deciding where to aim the hand during a reach. We found that participants compensated differently to the same skewed lateral shift distribution depending on the form of feedback they received. When provided with error feedback, participants compensated based on the mean of the skewed noise. When provided with reinforcement feedback, participants compensated based on the mode. Participants receiving both error and reinforcement feedback continued to compensate based on the mean while repeatedly missing the target, despite receiving auditory, visual and monetary reinforcement feedback that rewarded hitting the target. Our work shows that reinforcement-based and error-based learning are separable and can occur independently. Further, when error and reinforcement feedback are in conflict, the sensorimotor system heavily weights error feedback over reinforcement feedback.

Indexed as

Reinforcement, PsychologyTask Performance and AnalysisUncertaintyAdolescentAdultComputational BiologyFeedback, SensoryHandHumansLearningYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID28753634
PMCPMC5550011
OpenAlexW2740562124

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.