Human performance was characterized by both exploration and learning as the task progressed, while rats showed relatively consistent pronounced preferences for the advantageous choices throughout the task. Overall results showed that most humans and rats learned to favor the advantageous choices, but to a widely different extent. Both group and individual data were explored by normative scoring approaches and subgroup formations based on individual choices were investigated. This study explores decision-making strategies among young adults ( N = 270) performing a computerized version of the IGT, and adult outbred male Lister Hooded rats ( N = 72) performing the rGT. However, interspecies studies elaborating on human and rat behavior in these tasks are lacking.

The rat gambling task (rGT) is a pre-clinical version using palatable reinforcers as wins and timeouts mimicking losses. In the task participants are faced with a choice conflict between cards with varying monetary reinforcer/loss contingencies. The Iowa gambling task (IGT) is a widely used instrument that assesses decision-making under uncertainty and risk. Experimental human and animal laboratory testing provide complimentary insights on the psychobiological underpinnings of decision-making. Decision-making requires that individuals perceive the probabilities and risks associated with different options.

Gambling igt