Lecture 11 Flashcards
What are the two systems of decision-making and what are their key characteristics?
The two systems of decision-making are System 1 (experiential-affective) and System 2 (analytic). System 1 is predominantly automatic, associative, rapid, and undemanding, while System 2 is rational, controlled, deliberative, rule-based, slow, and conscious.
What variables make up the subjective value of an item in decision-making?
The variables that make up the subjective value of an item in decision-making include payoff amount, context, probability, effort/cost, temporal discounting, novelty, and preference.
Explain the concept of temporal discounting
Temporal discounting refers to the phenomenon where the value of a reward decreases as the delay to receiving it increases. It involves considering the trade-off between immediate rewards and delayed rewards in decision-making.
What is the Marginal Value Theorem, and how does it relate to decision-making?
The Marginal Value Theorem, proposed by Charnov, relates to decision-making in foraging scenarios. It suggests that an individual should leave a resource patch when the rate of gaining energy from the current patch drops below the average rate of gaining energy in the habitat as a whole. It helps determine how long one should exploit a resource before moving on.
What role do Anterior Cingulate Cortex neurons play in decision-making.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex neurons encode value and are related to the decision to leave a resource patch. They help in optimizing foraging behavior by signaling when it’s time to move on to another patch.
How does damage to the amygdala impact emotional processing and decision-making, as mentioned in the lecture notes?
Damage to the amygdala can lead to changes in emotional processing and decision-making. It can result in conditions like the Kluver-Bucy syndrome, characterized by a lack of fear, increased consumption of various substances, and heightened sexual ac
What role does the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) play in decision-making, according to Damasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis?
The vmPFC is critical in Damasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis for decision-making. It triggers bodily changes (somatic states) in response to cues for reward or punishment. These somatic markers influence decision-making by providing affective value to potential responses.
What is the Iowa Gambling Task, and how does it relate to decision-making and the vmPFC?
The Iowa Gambling Task is a decision-making task where individuals choose between decks of cards with different payoffs and losses. It relates to decision-making and the vmPFC because individuals with vmPFC damage tend to perform poorly on this task, often making disadvantageous choices due to a lack of emotional signals.
How does alcohol consumption affect prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity in decision-making,
Alcohol consumption can inhibit PFC activity in decision-making tasks. It may lead to reduced inhibitory control and compromise choice behavior due to inflexibility in decision-making.
What is the “Fight, Flight, or Freeze” response, and how does it relate to decision-making in threatening situations?
The “Fight, Flight, or Freeze” response is a set of instinctive reactions to threatening situations. It relates to decision-making by influencing rapid, stereotyped responses that have been evolutionarily advantageous. These responses include fighting, fleeing, or remaining still (freezing) in response to a threat.
How does the freezing response relate to decision-making in the context of unexpected threats?
The freezing response involves staying still until a threat has passed. It can be seen as a rapid, instinctual decision-making response in the face of unexpected threats.
What role does the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) play in integrating memory, emotion, and current body state in decision-making?
The vmPFC integrates memory, emotion, and the current body state to guide decision-making. It helps individuals make choices that consider past experiences, emotional cues, and physiological states to optimize decision outcomes.
What is the significance of the somatic marker theory (SMH) in understanding decision-making?
The somatic marker theory (SMH) suggests that emotions and feelings play a crucial role in decision-making. It proposes that affective responses (somatic markers) generated from past experiences guide decision processes, particularly in ambiguous or uncertain situations.
How does damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) impact decision-making, as observed in the Iowa Gambling Task?
Damage to the vmPFC can lead to poor performance on decision-making tasks like the Iowa Gambling Task. Individuals with vmPFC damage often make disadvantageous choices due to a lack of emotional signals and somatic markers, leading to suboptimal decisions.
What effect does approaching threat have on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activity, and how does it influence decision-making?
Approaching threat can inhibit vmPFC activity, leading to a more rapid, instinctual response to the threat. This inhibition can compromise decision-making, making individuals less flexible in their choices
