Figure 3
Reward maximization (a) Percent deviation from optimal time in patch. Observed time in patch was compared to the optimal stay time for reward maximization. Positive values indicate staying longer than optimal, whereas negative values indicate leaving before optimal. Male heterogenous stock rats showed significantly greater reward optimization at delays of 0–6 s, whereas female rats showed significantly greater reward maximization at delays of 12–18 s. (b) Percent deviation from optimal rejection volume. Observed rejection volume (indifference point) was compared to the optimal rejection volume for reward maximization. Positive values indicate a rejection volume less than optimal, and negative values indicate a rejection volume greater than optimal. Males showed significantly greater reward optimization at delays of 6 and 12 s, whereas females showed significantly greater reward maximization at delay of 24 s. Data are expressed as the average ± standard error; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 between males (n = 896) and females (n = 898).
