Pupil dilation and cognitive reflection as predictors of performance on the Iowa Gambling Task

Risky decisions and implicit learning involve both cognitive and emotional factors. As the primary test-bed for the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH), the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was devised to examine these factors. Skin conductance evidence has shown anticipatory physiological responses to the deck contingencies which supports SMH. However, skin conductance is not without limitations and pupil dilation is an alternative physiological marker. In the present study, the predictive effects of anticipatory pupillary responses to positive and negative decks on IGT performance were examined in an extended version of the task. The extended Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) was used to examine the relationship between reflective thinking and IGT performance. Data demonstrated that reflective thinking correlated with performance from the second block onwards and that learning continued on the IGT into the additional sixth and seventh blocks, indicating that performance was not optimized until the final block. Regression analysis further showed that both anticipatory pupil dilation for disadvantageous and advantageous decks, and reflective thinking were strong predictors of overall IGT performance. Thus, while both emotional and reflective processes are implicated in IGT performance, analytic cognition plays a more salient role than traditionally acknowledged.N/

Shape transitions in excited states of two-electron quantum dots in a magnetic field

We use entanglement to study shape transitions in two-electron axially symmetric parabolic quantum dots in a perpendicular magnetic field. At a specific magnetic field value the dot attains a spherical symmetry. The transition from the axial to the spherical symmetry manifests itself as a drastic change of the entanglement of the lowest state with zero angular momentum projection. While the electrons in such a state are always localized in the plane (x-y) before the transition point, after this point they become localized in the vertical direction.Fil: Nazmitdinov, R.G.. Bogoliubov Laboratory Of Theoretical Physics, Joint Institute For Nuclear Research; Rusia. Universitat de Les Illes Balears; EspañaFil: Simonovic, N. S.. University of Belgrade; SerbiaFil: Plastino, Ángel Ricardo. Comisión de Regulación de Energía y Gas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina. Universidad de Granada; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Chizhov, A.V.. Bogoliubov Laboratory Of Theoretical Physics, Joint Institute For Nuclear Research; Rusi