Problem 5

Question 1

Decision making

Answer 1

Process by which one chooses a particular response based on ones evaluation of the potential costs + benefits associated with alternative actions

–> context may change the association between action + outcome

Question 2

Economic theory

Answer 2

Suggest that decision making can be based on a set of numerical scores (utilities) associated with alternative choices

Question 3

Name the neural correlates of decision making

Lee

Answer 3

Frontal cortex but more specifically

1. Lateral PFC
   - -> state representation
2. OFC
   - -> value representation
3. ACC
   - -> outcome evaluation

Question 4

What is the role of the WM in decision making ?

Answer 4

Is needed to store the change in the environment until this info can be used to act appropriately

Question 5

What is the LPFC’s role in decision making ?

Answer 5

Encoding specific states/changes in the environment that are needed to determine an optimal action

–> represents utilities/values associated with the different states

Question 6

What is the OFC’s role in decision-making?

Lee

Answer 6

Involved in adjusting decision-making strategies when the previously successful choices are no longer advantageous

THUS: assigning appropriate values to objects in the environment

–> determines the expected outcome of rewards

Question 7

What is the ACC’s role in decision-making?

Lee

Answer 7

Choosing appropriate action when the environment is uncertain or dynamic

–> uses info of OFC to choose action?

Question 8

Model B
(Reward-based decision-making circuit)
-Rushworth

Answer 8

1. LOFC assigns value and reward type information to different options
2. Representations coming from the LOFC to the vmPFC/mOFC are linked with different reward expectations
3. Value representations are input to ACC/dmPFC, where they are compared
   - -> value comparison
4. Output from ACC/dmPFC determines the pattern of activity seen in the motor system and the response ultimately made

Question 9

Model C
(Alternative circuit of reward-based decision making)
-Rushworth

Answer 9

1. LOFC assigns value and reward type information to different options
2. mOFC/vmPFC compare the values of different options to determine what should be the focus of behavior and attention
3. ACC then takes part in action value comparison
   - -> which response should be made to obtain the reward?

THUS: difference here is that the mOFC/vmPFC engage in value comparison and then the ACC engage in ACTION comparison

Question 10

Self-refferent effect

Answer 10

Enhanced memory for information related to the self

Question 11

There are 2 possible explanations for the self-referent effect.

Name them.

Answer 11

1. Anything related to the self is naturally more engaging + we pay more attention
2. The self is a special cognitive structure with unique mnemonic organizational elements that promote processing in a way that is distinct from all other cognitive structures

–> If this is true, then distinct neural regions should be active in relation to the self-referent effect

Question 12

Name the neural correlates of self-referential processing

Answer 12

mPFC

–> active when we are at rest, because then we engage in self-refential processing

Question 13

Self-perception bias

Answer 13

People are motivated to see themselves in a positive light

–> believe they are more likely than others that good or bad things will happen to them

Question 14

Neural correlates of self-perception bias

Answer 14

Distinct higher order prefrontal regions allow us to focus selectively on positive aspects of the self but at the same time prevent them form deviating too far from reality

1. ventral ACC
   - -> attentive to positive info about else
2. OFC
   - -> spontaneous accurate self-perception in the moment

Question 15

Which brain lesions did Phineas Gage endure and which outcomes did they have ?

Answer 15

Damage to OFC

–> lead to unrealistic positive selfs-views + unappropriated social behavior

Question 16

Sensory specific satiety

Answer 16

Describes the declining satisfaction generated by the consumption of a certain type of food (when satisfied), and the consequent renewal in appetite resulting from the exposure to a new flavor or food

–> less reward value when you eat but are already full

Question 17

Default mode network

Answer 17

Is a network that is active when a person is not focused on the outside world and the brain is at wakeful rest

–> may include

1. daydreaming/mind-wandering
2. thinking about the self/others

–> not active during goal oriented tasks

Question 18

Affective node

Answer 18

1. Includes the core regions involved in goal-directed decision making
2. Involved in self-referential info processing

–> vmPFC

Question 19

Memory-related node

Answer 19

Autobiographical tasks

–> Posterior cingulate cortex

Question 20

The DMN is comprised of several brain areas.

Name them

Answer 20

1. mPFC
2. PCC
3. angular gyrus

Question 21

The DMN was originally thought not to be involved in goal-oriented behavior.

How has this view changed ?

Answer 21

It can be active in other goal-oriented tasks such as social working memory or autobiographical tasks

–> since then ones mind is occupied with the self

Question 22

Model D
(Alternative circuit of reward-based decision making)
- Rushworth

Answer 22

1. LOFC assigns value and reward type information to different options
2. ACC + mOFC/vmPFC work in parallel for foraging and decision making

–> both compete to determine choices