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Published on: August 9, 2016
Electroencephalographic topography measures of experienced utility
Andreas Pedroni1, Nicolas Langer, Thomas Koenig
1Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland. andreas.pedroni@unibas.ch
Summary
This study quantifies experienced utility using brain activity, revealing how the brain evaluates monetary rewards. Neuronal activity patterns show that experienced utility and regret increase disproportionally with monetary value, unlike decision utility.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroeconomics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Economic theory differentiates decision utility (choice-based) from experienced utility (satisfaction-based).
- Experienced utility is traditionally measured via subjective self-reports.
- Objective quantification of experienced utility using neural activity remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify experienced utility of monetary rewards using global levels of neuronal activity.
- To approximate psychophysiological value functions for experienced utility.
- To identify the neural correlates (timing and location) of outcome valuation.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded neuronal activity in response to monetary gains and omissions.
- A novel analysis approach was used to derive value functions from EEG topography.
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) and their intracortical sources were analyzed for value-related variations.
Main Results:
- Psychophysiological value functions for experienced utility and regret showed disproportionate increases with monetary value, contrasting with decision utility.
- Outcome evaluation occurred in distinct temporal phases: initial valence (∼250 ms) and finer-grained gain value, followed by omission evaluation.
- A late reward-sensitive ERP topography (∼500 ms) was identified, with sources localized in prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and hippocampus/amygdala.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal activity can objectively quantify experienced utility and regret, providing a neural basis for economic decision-making.
- The temporal dissociation in outcome evaluation suggests a role for reward prediction errors.
- Specific brain regions (vmPFC, mFG, ACC, PCC, hippocampus/amygdala) are crucial for evaluating outcomes with hedonic impact.
