Mapping sign-tracking and goal-tracking onto human behaviors. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colaizzi, Janna M.; Flagel, Shelly B.; Joyner, Michelle A.; Gearhardt, Ashley N.; Stewart, Jennifer L.; Paulus, Martin P.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 111(2020)
• Page Start: 84
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Sign-tracking -- Goal-tracking -- Addictive behavior -- Impulse control disorders -- Humans -- Rodents; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Sign- and goal-tracking is a measure of impulse control. Rodent sign-tracker characteristics overlap with human addictive behaviors. Sign-tracking measurement in humans could improve addiction risk prediction. Abstract: As evidenced through classic Pavlovian learning mechanisms, environmental cues can become incentivized and influence behavior. These stimulus-outcome associations are relevant in everyday life but may be particularly important for the development of impulse control disorders including addiction. Rodent studies have elucidated specific learning profiles termed 'sign-tracking' and 'goal-tracking' which map onto individual differences in impulsivity and other behaviors associated with impulse control disorders' etiology, course, and relapse. Whereas goal-trackers are biased toward the outcome, sign-trackers fixate on features that are associated with but not necessary for achieving an outcome; a pattern of behavior that often leads to escalation of reward-seeking that can be maladaptive. The vast majority of the sign- and goal-tracking research has been conducted using rodent models and very few have bridged this concept into the domain of human behavior. In this review, we discuss the attributes of sign- and goal-tracking profiles, how these are manifested neurobiologically, and how these distinct learning styles could be an important tool for clinical interventions in human addiction.