Lecture on Cognition and Decision-Making

Introduction to Decision-Making

• Decision-making compared to neuron functioning:
  • Neurons receive inputs from various places, integrate information, and decide to fire action potentials.
  • Human decisions are similar, involving numerous inputs and considerations.
• Example of a decision: Choosing between going to a party or studying.
  • Factors involved: social influences, current academic status, need for a break, etc.

Neurons and Decision Areas

• Neural Decision Process:
  • No specific decision area in the brain; decisions are distributed across the brain.
  • Motor neurons are closest to decision neurons due to their role in action.
• Simplifying Neural Decisions:
  • Studies often simplify behaviors to focus on decision processes.

Sensory Motor Decision-Making

• Example with animals choosing between alternatives based on sensory input in noisy environments.
• Different models of decision-making include symmetric random walk models.

Experimental Example: Random Dot Motion

• Animals trained to perceive motion from random dots with embedded motion cues.
• Variations in motion strength impact decision confidence and speed.

Neuron Activity Related to Motion

• MT Area:
  • Responds to directional motion; activity varies with motion strength and direction.
• Lateral Intraparietal Area:
  • Integrates motion information, ramps up with increasing evidence until decision threshold.

Human Brain Imaging and Decision-Making

• Challenges with definitive results in human studies.
• Emotional vs. Rational Decision-Making:
  • Framing Effect: Decisions influenced by how choices are presented (gain vs. loss framing).
• Neural activity shows amygdala activation with emotional decisions and orbitofrontal cortex with rational decisions.

Moral Decision-Making

• Trolley Dilemma vs. Footbridge Dilemma:
  • People differentiate based on personal involvement.
  • Emotional brain areas more active in personal dilemmas.
• Theory of Mind: Understanding others' motives influences moral judgments.
  • Example of how TMS can alter moral judgments by affecting the TPJ.

Influence of Charisma and Group Identity on Decision-Making

• Charisma can reduce activity in critical thinking areas of the brain.
• Personal biases and group identity can effectively "turn off" critical analysis.

Consciousness in Decision-Making

• Split brain studies reveal hemispheric differences in perception and decision-making.
  • Language typically left hemisphere; right hemisphere excels in spatial tasks.
• Unconscious processes significantly influence decisions before conscious awareness.
  • Brain activity precedes conscious decision-making by several seconds.

Conclusion

• Decision-making is complex, involves both conscious and unconscious processes.
• Understanding biases and neural processes can improve decision-making strategies.