Unconscious reward facilitates motion perceptual learning

Abstract

Reward signal plays an important role in guiding human learning behaviour. Recent studies have provided evidence that reward signal modulates perceptual learning of basic visual features. Typically, the reward effects on perceptual learning were accompanied with consciously presented reward during the learning process. However, whether an unconsciously presented reward signal that minimizes the contribution of attentional and motivational factors can facilitate perceptual learning remains less well understood. We trained human subjects on a visual motion detection task and subliminally delivered a monetary reward for correct response during the training. The results showed significantly larger learning effect for high reward-associated motion direction than low reward-associated motion direction. Importantly, subjects could neither discriminate the relative values of the subliminal monetary reward nor correctly report the reward-direction contingencies. Our findings suggest that reward signal plays an important modulatory role in perceptual learning even if the magnitude of the reward was not consciously perceived.

Keywords:

• Reward
• Perceptual learning
• Unconscious
• Reinforcement learning
• Feedback

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 31271081, 31230029], the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) [No. 2012AA011602], the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, State Education Ministry.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 31271081, 31230029], the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) [No. 2012AA011602], the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, State Education Ministry.