ST5 - Decision-making: from neuroscience to neuroeconomics Part 2

Question 1

What is the dual process framework?

Answer 1

Two systems for decision-making (system 1 (intuitive/fast), and system 2(deliberate/slow))

Question 2

What is the cognitive-emotional distinction?

Answer 2

Akin to the automatic and controlled systems

Question 3

What are value-based decisions in neuroeconomics?

Answer 3

the main research topic assigned to neuroeconomics (system 2)

Question 5

What are the four main areas of the brain?

Answer 5

1. The telencephalon (forebrain)
2. The diecephalon (the thalamus)
3. The mesencephalon / midbrain
4. the brainstem or hindbrain

Question 6

What responsibilities does the prefrontal cortex have?

Answer 6

Responsible for “highly cognitive processes” (logic reasoning,
planning, problem solving, and decision-making)

Question 7

What is the limbic system?

Answer 7

The centers in the brain that coordinate emotional respones (autonomous nervous system)

Question 8

What is the limbic system also known as?

Answer 8

the emotional brain

Question 9

What is the three-part brain architecture about?

Answer 9

That the brain can be divided in 3 very broad areas that go from inside to outside
1. reptilian brain
2. old mammalian brain
3. new mammalian brain

Question 10

What does the reptilian brain do?

Answer 10

the seat of primitive emotions and instincts such as fear or anger

Question 11

What does the old mammalian brain do?

Answer 11

the seat that broadens the set of emotional respones such as guilt, shame, envy, etc. (this is mostly the limbic system)

Question 12

What does the new mammalian brain do?

Answer 12

interfaces emotion with congition and exerts top-down control over emotional responses (reasoning, analysis, etc.)

Question 13

What about modularity, connectivity and brain localization?

Answer 13

While specific parts of the brain are definitely associated with carrying out specific functions, the brain is complex and there are always networks, circuits and loops engaged, so everything is also connected

Question 14

What are the “association areas” of the brain?

Answer 14

• The cognitive abilities center
• About four-fifths of the brain

Question 15

What is the “frontal cortex”?

Answer 15

• it is large within humans
• higher cognitive functions (decision-making, memory, reasoning, personality, etc.)

Question 16

What is the iowa gambling task experiment?

Answer 16

Patients with brain damage in the ventromedial PFC
(specialized in emotional signals processing) were studied. Participants faced the task of getting
rid of risky lotteries that seem attractive but harmful in the long run. After 40 or 50 trials, healthy
subjects were drawing only the “advantageous” decks. Schizophrenics or patients with damage
to the ventromedial PFC continued to draw from all decks by focusing on immediate gains