Marian Sauter¹; ¹Ulm University

Foraging theory suggests that the efficiency of resource-seeking behavior is influenced by the spatial distribution and availability of those resources. Applying this framework, this study employs LEGO bricks to investigate how variations in target density influence foraging efficiency among humans. Participants were tasked with identifying specific LEGO bricks placed on trays, which represented different foraging zones with varying target densities. The primary hypothesis of the study was that target-rich zones would lead to more efficient foraging, evidenced by shorter reaction times. This hypothesis was strongly supported by our findings. This outcome aligns with the findings of earlier non-interactive visual foraging studies. Additionally, the target-rich zones were biased towards one of the sides of the search space, with the expectation that this bias can be exploited over time, resulting in decreased response times (statistical learning). Contrary to expectations, there was no consistent improvement in foraging efficiency over time: While participants were able to identify the location-bias for target-rich zones, this awareness did not consistently lead to quicker foraging, indicating that insights from computerized visual foraging might not fully translate to interactive environments. This study thereby offers a perspective on the complexities of foraging behavior ‘in the wild’, contributiong to our understanding of how humans adapt their search strategies in interactive environments with varying resource prevalence.

Acknowledgements: Graduate and Professional Training Center Ulm