Topic: maximum-likelihood strategy

When faced with challenging multi-step decisions, humans are unable to evaluate all branches of the decision tree simultaneously and instead rely on piecemeal hierarchical and counterfactual reasoning strategies. To investigate the neural basis of these cognitive strategies, we developed a challenging multi-step decision task for monkeys in which they had to track an invisible ball through a maze using partial cues about the times when the ball makes turns within the maze. Animals were able to use temporal cues to infer the ball’s exit point. To evaluate the animals’ decision strategy, we comp