Model-based strategy use and intelligence positively predict RL learning performance, while WM load negatively predicts it¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? In the optimal stepwise linear regression, WM load negatively predicted corrected reward rate (β = −0.07), intelligence positively predicted it (β = 0.003), and mixing weight positively predicted it (β = 0.08), with R² = 0.60. → Chengyan Yang 2025

Evidence¶

Chengyan Yang 2025¶

Chengyan Yang, Tongran Liu, Mengxin Wen & Xun Liu. (2025). The distinct functions of working memory and intelligence in model-based and model-free reinforcement learning. npj Science of Learning 10:72. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00363-w

q3 · i? · causal · r2

Stepwise linear regression on data from 50 participants with corrected reward rate as outcome and WM load, mixing weight, and intelligence as predictors. The optimal model had R² = 0.60 (AIC = −357, BIC = −344); mixing weight also positively predicted performance (β = 0.08, p < 0.001).

"Our findings indicated that WM load negatively pre- dicted task performance (β = −0.07, SE = 0.01, t = −7.17, p <0 . 0 0 1 ) , s u g- gesting that higher WM loads hindered participants' ability to collect rewards effectively. Intelligence scores positively predicted task performance (β = 0.003, SE = 0.001, t = 2.62, p = 0.01)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• High WM load shifts learners from model-based toward model-free reinforcement learning strategies — related
• Intelligence correlates with RL performance under low WM load but not under high WM load — related
• Exploitation (inverse temperature) and information utilization (learning rate) correlate with reward acquisition under both WM loads — related
• Participants earned higher corrected reward rates under low WM load than high WM load in a two-stage RL task — related
• Model-based strategy use partially mediates the effect of WM load on RL learning performance — related