Memory, Emotion, and Rationality: An ACT-R interpretation for Gambling Task results

A new interpretation for the results of several experiments carried out using the Gambling Task paradigm is presented that differs from that put forward by Damasio (1994). While Damasio grounds his analysis on the somatic markers hypothesis, we propose a perspective based on the functional integration of emotion with memory that is sympathetic with the view of the prefrontal cortex endorsed by Rolls (1999, 2000). Our interpretation is supported by the development of a computational model implemented in the ACT-R cognitive architecture. The model highlights some limitations of the architecture that arise when dealing with situations charged with emotional significance. In particular, the model—when developed according to the standard ACT-R theory—produces a perseverating behavior that replicates the performance exhibited by participants with lesions in the orbitofrontal cortex. An adjustment to the ACT-R equations describing the activation of elements in declarative memory is suggested that allows modeling the performance of both normal controls and orbitofrontal patients.