Variability and harshness shape flexible strategy-use in support of the constrained flexibility framework

TL;DR

The study shows how people's decision-making strategies change based on environmental conditions like stability and harshness.

Contribution

The research provides empirical evidence supporting the constrained flexibility framework in decision-making.

Findings

Elective switching is suppressed by harshness in decision-making environments.

Results align with the constrained flexibility framework's predictions about strategy use.

Findings highlight the adaptive nature of cognitive flexibility in unpredictable contexts.

Abstract

Human cognition is incredibly flexible, allowing us to thrive within diverse environments. However, humans also tend to stick to familiar strategies, even when there are better solutions available. How do we exhibit flexibility in some contexts, yet inflexibility in others? The constrained flexibility framework (CFF) proposes that cognitive flexibility is shaped by variability, predictability, and harshness within decision-making environments. The CFF asserts that high elective switching (switching away from a working strategy) is maladaptive in stable or predictably variable environments, but adaptive in unpredictable environments, so long as harshness is low. Here we provide evidence for the CFF using a decision-making task completed across two studies with a total of 299 English-speaking adults. In line with the CFF, we found that elective switching was suppressed by harshness, using both within- and between-subjects harshness manipulations. Our results highlight the need to study how cognitive flexibility adapts to diverse contexts.

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