Flexibility in valenced reinforcement learning computations across development

Optimal integration of positive and negative outcomes during learning varies depending on an environment’s reward statistics. The present study investigated the extent to which children, adolescents, and adults (N = 142 8 - 25 year-olds, 55% female, 42% White, 31% Asian, 17% mixed race, and 8% Black) adapt their weighting of better-than-expected and worse-than-expected outcomes when learning from reinforcement. Participants made a series of choices across two contexts: one in which weighting positive outcomes more heavily than negative outcomes led to better performance, and one in which the reverse was true. Reinforcement learning modeling revealed that across age, participants shifted their valence biases in accordance with the structure of the environment. Exploratory analyses revealed increases in context-dependent flexibility with age.