Probabilistic Reversal Learning
Description
A reversal learning task where participants learn stimulus-response rules that change unpredictably, with probabilistic feedback.
Measures: Cognitive flexibility, reversal learning, feedback sensitivity
Executive Function Learning
About This Test
Two abstract visual stimuli are presented on each trial. One is designated as 'correct' according to a hidden rule. Participants choose one using the left or right shift keys and receive smiley (correct) or frowny (incorrect) face feedback. Feedback is probabilistic: occasionally correct responses receive negative feedback. After a criterion number of correct responses, the rule reverses. Measures cognitive flexibility and sensitivity to feedback.
Test Details
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Scientific Background
Original Task References:
These references describe the original task that this PEBL implementation is based on.
- Cools, R., Clark, L., Owen, A. M., & Robbins, T. W. (2002). Defining the neural mechanisms of probabilistic reversal learning using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of Neuroscience, 22(11), 4563-4567.
PEBL-Specific References:
These studies used the PEBL version of this task.
- Mueller, S. T. (2011). PEBL's Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task. Computer software retrieved from http://pebl.sf.net/battery.html
Data Output
Trial-by-trial data with reversal stage, feedback validity, accuracy, and response time. The report file provides summary statistics overall and by block.
probrev-{subnum}.csv
Data Columns
| Column Name | Description |
|---|---|
| sub | Participant ID |
| block | Block number (1 to numblocks). Each block uses a new pair of stimuli. |
| stage | Reversal stage within the block. Each stage is a consecutive run of trials with a single rule; the correct stimulus reverses between stages. |
| totaltrial | Cumulative trial number across all blocks and stages |
| trial | Trial number within the current stage (resets at each reversal) |
| corrstim | Label of the currently correct stimulus for this stage (A, B, C, or D) |
| order | Which side the correct stimulus appeared on (1=left, 2=right) |
| resp | Participant's response (left or right) |
| valid | Whether feedback was valid (1) or probabilistically reversed (0). On invalid trials, correct responses receive negative feedback. |
| corrfeedback | Whether positive feedback was shown (1=smiley face, 0=frowny face). Note: this reflects feedback validity, not true correctness. |
| acc | Cumulative count of correct responses within the current stage. The stage ends when acc reaches the stage criterion. |
| corr | Whether the response was objectively correct according to the rule (1/0). A participant can be correct (corr=1) but receive negative feedback (corrfeedback=0) on invalid trials. |
| rt | Response time in milliseconds from stimulus onset |
Scoring and Interpretation
Example Data
example-data.csv Primary
Trial-by-trial probabilistic reversal learning data
| sub | block | stage | totaltrial | trial | corrstim | order | resp | valid | corrfeedback | acc | corr | rt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| example | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | fig1 | 1 | left | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 572 |
| example | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | fig1 | 2 | right | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 414 |
| example | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | fig1 | 1 | left | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 835 |
| example | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | fig1 | 1 | left | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 359 |
| example | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | fig1 | 1 | left | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 432 |
| example | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | fig1 | 2 | right | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 616 |
| example | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | fig2 | 2 | left | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 528 |
| example | 1 | 2 | 8 | 2 | fig2 | 1 | left | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 768 |
| example | 1 | 2 | 9 | 3 | fig2 | 1 | left | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 522 |
example-report.html Report
HTML summary report with overall and by-block performance statistics
📊 Interactive HTML Report Preview Open in new window →
Sample data showing typical output format. Actual values will vary by participant.
About This Test
A reversal learning task where participants learn stimulus-response rules that change unpredictably, with probabilistic feedback.
Category: Executive Function
Estimated Duration: 15 minutes
Available Translations: 8 languages
Documentation Status: Complete