Todd Maddox, Ph.D.

In this manuscript we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural correlates of decision making across the lifespan. We took a computational machine learning approach whereby we correlated brain activation with parameters from a machine learning model. Several interesting results emerged but two that were most compelling were that older adults recruited more of their frontal brain regions to solve the task and that uncertainty was modulated by activation in the striatum, a… Show more

In this manuscript we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural correlates of decision making across the lifespan. We took a computational machine learning approach whereby we correlated brain activation with parameters from a machine learning model. Several interesting results emerged but two that were most compelling were that older adults recruited more of their frontal brain regions to solve the task and that uncertainty was modulated by activation in the striatum, a dopamine producing region. The implications for training across the lifespan are many. Show less

Stereotype threat involves situations in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of conforming to negative stereotypes about their social group. Stereotype threat has been shown to reduce the performance of individuals who belong to negatively stereotyped groups.

In this study we showed the individuals places in a stereotype threat situation, in which they usually perform poorly, can be made to perform well simply by telling them to minimize losses instead of maximize gains… Show more

Stereotype threat involves situations in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of conforming to negative stereotypes about their social group. Stereotype threat has been shown to reduce the performance of individuals who belong to negatively stereotyped groups.

In this study we showed the individuals places in a stereotype threat situation, in which they usually perform poorly, can be made to perform well simply by telling them to minimize losses instead of maximize gains. This simple but powerful manipulation worked in the research reported here and in a number of other studies from our lab.

The implications of this research for sports and the workplace environments is clear. Show less

In this paper we explore the effects of rewards vs. punishments on optimal training.

In this manuscript we put individuals under pressure by telling them that they needed to learn a new speech language but that they had a partner in this endeavor. They and their partner both need to achieve some performance level to receive a monetary bonus. If one does not achieve the performance level neither will receive the monetary bonus. Prior to starting the learning task they are informed that their partner has completed the task and met the performance criterion so the pressure is on… Show more

In this manuscript we put individuals under pressure by telling them that they needed to learn a new speech language but that they had a partner in this endeavor. They and their partner both need to achieve some performance level to receive a monetary bonus. If one does not achieve the performance level neither will receive the monetary bonus. Prior to starting the learning task they are informed that their partner has completed the task and met the performance criterion so the pressure is on them.

Note the similarity between this situation and many situations in business environments. We showed that performance pressure IMPROVES learning of this type. Importantly, previous work in our laboratory showed that this type of learning is mediated by the striatum.

The implications for learning languages and in business are many and suggest that pressure can be good or bad depending upon the situation. Show less

In this research we showed that older adults approach decision making problems using qualitatively different strategies from younger adults. In particular, older adults tend to incorporate their vast lifelong experience into their decisions. Sometimes this helps and sometimes it hurt,

In this paper we showed the a very low power infrared laser shined for 5-minutes on the forehead improves executive function (in this case rule learning). The implications for business and training in general are many.

This study asks the question of whether learning is superior when to-be-studied items are blocked by type or are presented in a random order. The results suggest that learning a verbal rule is best with blocked presentation whereas learning a more complex structure that is not verbalizable is best with random presentation. Interestingly, if you ask people which approach they felt led to better learning, they will say that blocked presentation is best. This is an excellent example of a situation… Show more

This study asks the question of whether learning is superior when to-be-studied items are blocked by type or are presented in a random order. The results suggest that learning a verbal rule is best with blocked presentation whereas learning a more complex structure that is not verbalizable is best with random presentation. Interestingly, if you ask people which approach they felt led to better learning, they will say that blocked presentation is best. This is an excellent example of a situation in which people's beliefs are incongruent with performance.

The implications for learning and business are many. Show less

This is a book chapter that summarizes a large body of work conducted in my laboratory that explores the relationship between motivation and learning across the lifespan.

Although normal aging has its challenges, there are many instances in which older adults are superior to younger adults, especially when the goal is to forgo short run rewards in the interest of long-run profits.

The implications for business are many including the fact that personality, incentives and age… Show more

This is a book chapter that summarizes a large body of work conducted in my laboratory that explores the relationship between motivation and learning across the lifespan.

Although normal aging has its challenges, there are many instances in which older adults are superior to younger adults, especially when the goal is to forgo short run rewards in the interest of long-run profits.

The implications for business are many including the fact that personality, incentives and age interact in affecting performance. Show less

In this research we explored how an individual's personality affects optimized learning under conditions where they are asked to maximize gains vs. minimize losses. We show that individuals who focus on advancement and accomplishments learn better when the goal is to maximize gains, whereas individuals who focus on safety and responsibility learn better when the goal is to minimize losses.

This work shows that optimized learning depends upon motivation, personality and incentives. The… Show more

In this research we explored how an individual's personality affects optimized learning under conditions where they are asked to maximize gains vs. minimize losses. We show that individuals who focus on advancement and accomplishments learn better when the goal is to maximize gains, whereas individuals who focus on safety and responsibility learn better when the goal is to minimize losses.

This work shows that optimized learning depends upon motivation, personality and incentives. The implications in business are many.

This research suggests that productivity is maximized when one matches the task goal to maximize gains or minimize losses with the individual's personality. Show less

These research reports focus on understanding the complex interplay between perception, personality, motivation, cognition and the brain on learning, memory and decision making. I have a special interest in optimizing performance through manipulation of motivation and incentive structures, and the development of scientifically-validated best practices in learning. Over 100 of these reports are included above. All others are available upon request. A full list of publications in available at the… Show more

These research reports focus on understanding the complex interplay between perception, personality, motivation, cognition and the brain on learning, memory and decision making. I have a special interest in optimizing performance through manipulation of motivation and incentive structures, and the development of scientifically-validated best practices in learning. Over 100 of these reports are included above. All others are available upon request. A full list of publications in available at the URL above.
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