Iowa Gambling Task:

The Iowa Gambling Task is a psychological test designed to measure decision-making abilities under uncertain conditions. It was developed by Antoine Bechara, Antonio Damasio, Hanna Damasio, and Steven Anderson at the University of Iowa in 1994.

Objective:

The objective of the Iowa Gambling Task is to assess an individual’s ability to make advantageous choices and avoid disadvantageous choices when faced with unpredictable outcomes.

Procedure:

During the Iowa Gambling Task, participants are presented with four decks of cards labeled A, B, C, and D. Each deck represents a different pattern of rewards and punishments. The participants must select cards from the decks to maximize their overall winnings.

Decks:

• Deck A: Provides high immediate rewards but also high occasional losses.
• Deck B: Offers moderate immediate rewards and losses.
• Deck C: Provides low immediate rewards and almost no losses.
• Deck D: Promises high immediate rewards in the beginning but results in long-term losses.

Outcome:

Throughout the task, the participants receive feedback in the form of rewards or losses after each card selection. Over time, they should learn to favor decks C and D while avoiding decks A and B due to their overall negative outcomes.

Assessment:

Based on the participant’s decision-making pattern, the Iowa Gambling Task allows researchers to evaluate their ability to process risk and reward information effectively. Deficits in decision-making may indicate impairment in areas such as the prefrontal cortex.