Topic: instrumental training

The transition from goal-directed to habitual decision-making during learning is thought to be gradual, yet permanent. Current approaches for distinguishing between the two decision processes require discrete ‘test’ sessions that preclude assessment of the nature and timing of the transition. Here, we devised a naturalistic devaluation approach to assess the underlying decision mode en passant, without discrete ‘test’ sessions. We hypothesized that by shifting a need for plain water, to a preference, we would favor action rate variability in animals during the goal-directed phase, unmasking tr