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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

Differences in Discounting Behavior and Brain Responses for Food and Money Reward.

M Markman¹, E Saruco¹, S Al-Bas¹

¹Department of Neurology, BG University Clinic Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44869, Germany.

|April 3, 2024

Summary

Neuroeconomic research reveals that while discounting behavior for money and food is similar, food choices are more impulsive. Brain imaging shows distinct neural pathways for processing monetary versus food rewards, influencing decision-making.

Keywords:

attribute-wise models computational modeling delay discounting neuroimaging option-based models primary and secondary reward

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Last Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

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Published on: June 5, 2016

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task

Measuring Delay Discounting in Humans Using an Adjusting Amount Task

Published on: January 9, 2016

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroeconomics
Decision Science
Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

Understanding how different reward types influence decision-making is crucial in neuroeconomics.
Delay discounting, the devaluation of rewards with time, is a key aspect of value-based choice.
Previous research has primarily focused on monetary rewards, leaving the impact of primary rewards less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the differences in delay discounting behavior between primary (food) and secondary (money) rewards.
To compare the efficacy of various computational models in explaining reward-specific discounting.
To identify the neural correlates associated with discounting different reward types using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Main Methods:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to study 28 healthy participants.
Participants underwent delay discounting tasks involving both monetary and food rewards.
Discounting behavior was analyzed using option-based statistical models (exponential, hyperbolic) and heuristic choice models.

Main Results:

Discounting behavior for money and food was comparable, primarily following an exponential discounting pattern.
Higher discount rates (k values) for food suggest more impulsive choices when immediate food rewards are available.
fMRI data indicated distinct neural activation patterns: money discounting involved the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right dorsal striatum, while food discounting engaged the left temporoparietal junction.

Conclusions:

Contrary to the hypothesis of distinct strategies, similar discounting patterns were observed for both reward types.
Reward type significantly influences impulsivity, with primary rewards like food leading to more impulsive decisions.
Distinct neural mechanisms underlie the processing of monetary versus food rewards, highlighting the impact of reward salience on decision-making and executive control.