Manipulating the speed-accuracy trade-off with EAM response thresholds

<p>This study investigates the role of speed-accuracy trade-offs in visual search and foraging behaviour using evidence accumulation models (EAMs). The research explores how individuals adjust their response thresholds when making decisions under varying accuracy and speed constraints. Participants completed a multi-patch foraging task, where they were instructed to prioritise either speed or accuracy across different experimental blocks. Results revealed no dominant search strategy, suggesting that performance was primarily driven by response conservativeness rather than specific search patterns. Modelling using the Random Walk Drift Diffusion Model (RDDM) further demonstrated that response thresholds remained relatively stable between conditions, indicating that participants did not significantly adjust their speed-accuracy trade-offs as instructed. These findings align with optimal foraging theory and the marginal value theorem, suggesting that decision-making in search tasks is guided by a balance of efficiency and conservatism. However, methodological limitations, including task instruction adherence, may have influenced the results. Future research should examine inherent individual differences in speed-accuracy preferences across diverse age groups to determine whether foraging behaviours are primarily influenced by cognitive control mechanisms or task constraints. </p>