Attention modulates value normalization in human reinforcement learning by shaping reward encoding (opens in new tab)

Contextual valuation is a well-documented phenomenon in reinforcement learning, typically manifesting as range normalization in outcome representation. However, recent findings have revealed systematic deviations from this model, particularly when three options with equally spaced values are presented. In this study, we hypothesize that these distortions in outcome normalization arise from attentional processes. To test this, we conduct three experiments with 105 participants in total while s...