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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
13:04
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
In praise of subjective truths
1Wellcome Laboratory of Neurobiology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. zeki.pa@ucl.ac.uk
The Journal of Physiology
|June 16, 2009
Summary
Human auditory judgment excels over computer averaging for determining visual neuron orientation. This faster, more precise method captured neural responses accurately, unlike noisy computer-generated data.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Visual System Research
Background:
- Investigating the orientation selectivity of neurons in the visual cortex is crucial for understanding visual processing.
- Traditional methods for determining orientation selectivity relied on manual techniques.
Observation:
- The study compared computer-generated graphical analysis with human auditory judgment for assessing neuronal orientation.
- Computer analysis involved generating an electronic slit on a screen using a PDP-12 computer.
Findings:
- Computer averaging methods produced broader and noisier response curves due to cellular responsiveness variations.
- Human auditory judgment proved to be superior in both speed and precision for determining neuronal orientation.
- The limitations of early computer averaging methods are highlighted, suggesting they were insufficient for obtaining precise data.
Implications:
- Highlights the enduring value of human perception and judgment in specific scientific contexts.
- Suggests that early computational approaches in neuroscience may have lacked the necessary precision for certain analyses.
- Emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate methodologies for accurate data acquisition in neuroscience research.
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