Probabilistic Reversal Learning

Executive Function Duration: ~15 minutes

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

Test ID:

probrev

Main File:

probrev.pbl

Parameters:

6 configurable parameters

6 configurable parameters available

Languages:

German English Spanish French Italian Dutch Portuguese Turkish

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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.

Output File:

probrev-{subnum}.csv

Format:

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

The primary measure is the switch cost: how many extra trials are needed in the alternating block compared to pure blocks. Mean errors per reversal indicates how quickly participants adapt to rule changes. Lower values indicate better cognitive flexibility. By-block performance can reveal learning trends across the session.

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