A specific computational role for early-life unpredictability, and not lifelong stressful experience, in decision-making under uncertainty.
Yifan Zhang, Y P Chen, X Roger Chen, Nora C. Harhen, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia Davis, Tallie Z. Baram, Victoria B. Risbrough, Daniel A. Stout, Aaron M. Bornstein
This study shows early-life unpredictability affects decision-making under uncertainty by increasing discounting and overharvesting, distinct from lifelong stress effects.
bioRxiv · Jun 3, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience