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/

Sweating the small stuff: a meta-analysis of skin conductance on the Iowa gambling task

To systematically examine the role of anticipatory skin conductance responses (aSCRs) in predicting Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) performance. Secondly, to assess the quality of aSCR evidence for the Somatic Marker Hypothesis (SMH) during the IGT. Finally, to evaluate the reliability of current psychophysiological measurements on the IGT. Electronic databases, journals and reference lists were examined for inclusion. Data were extracted by two reviewers and validated by another reviewer, using a standardised extraction sheet along with a quality assessment. Two meta-analyses of aSCR measures were conducted to test the relationship between overall aSCR and IGT performance, and differences in aSCR between advantageous and disadvantageous decks. Twenty studies were included in this review. Quality assessment revealed that five studies did not measure anticipatory responses, and few stated they followed standard IGT and/or psychophysiological procedures. The first meta-analysis of 15 studies revealed a significant, small-to-medium relationship between aSCR and IGT performance (r= .22). The second meta-analysis of eight studies revealed a significant, small difference in aSCR between the advantageous and disadvantageous decks (r= .10); however, publication bias is likely to be an issue. Meta-analyses revealed aSCR evidence supporting the SMH. However, inconsistencies in the IGT and psychophysiological methods, along with publication bias, cast doubt on these effects. It is recommended that future tests of the SMH use a range of psychophysiological measures, a standardised IGT protocol, and discriminate between advantageous and disadvantageous decks.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

Modifying the photodetachment near a metal surface by a weak electric field

We show the photodetachment cross sections of H near a metal surface can be modified using a weak static electric field. The modification is possible because the oscillatory part of the cross section near a metal surface is directly connected with the transit-time and the action of the detached-electron closed-orbit which can be changed systematically by varying the static electric field strength. Photodetachment cross sections for various photon energies and electric field values are calculated and displayed.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure