Title: Structuring the Environment Nudges Participants Toward Hierarchical Over Shortest Path Planning Show Chinese title

Title: 构建环境促使参与者倾向于层次结构而非最短路径规划

Abstract: Effective planning is crucial for navigating complex environments and achieving goals efficiently. In this study, we investigated how environmental structure influences the selection of planning strategies. Forty-two participants navigated a space station to collect colored spheres, with environments either structured (spheres grouped by color) or unstructured (spheres scattered randomly). We tested three types of plans: hierarchical (grouping spheres by color), shortest path (minimizing travel distance), and neutral (none of the above). By manipulating environmental structure, we were able to nudge participants toward a preference for hierarchical planning in structured environments, while shortest path plans were favored in unstructured environments. A mismatch between self-reported preferences and actual choices indicated that participants often adopted implicit strategies, unaware of their decision-making processes. These findings highlight the powerful effect of environmental cues on planning and suggest that even subtle changes in structure can guide the selection of planning strategies. Show Chinese abstract

Abstract: 有效的规划对于在复杂环境中高效地导航和实现目标至关重要。 在这项研究中，我们探讨了环境结构如何影响规划策略的选择。 42 名参与者在一个空间站中导航以收集彩色球体，环境要么是有结构的（球体按颜色分组），要么是无结构的（球体随机散落）。 我们测试了三种类型的计划：分层计划（按颜色分组球体）、最短路径计划（最小化旅行距离）和中性计划（以上都不是）。 通过操纵环境结构，我们在有结构的环境中能够引导参与者倾向于分层计划，而在无结构的环境中则倾向于最短路径计划。 自我报告的偏好与实际选择之间的不一致表明，参与者常常采用隐性策略，而没有意识到他们的决策过程。 这些发现强调了环境提示对规划的强大影响，并表明即使结构上的细微变化也能指导规划策略的选择。