A population representation of the confidence in a decision in the parietal cortex
Ariel Zylberberg1, Michael N Shadlen2
1Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Virtual Confidence and Metacognition Laboratory, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Many decisions arise from a race between competing evidence accumulation processes that terminate upon reaching a threshold. We ask whether neurons supporting this accumulation also encode confidence-whether a choice is correct or incorrect. Monkeys performed a reaction-time random dot motion task while populations of neurons were recorded from the lateral intraparietal (LIP) area. Shortly before the choice report, LIP neurons with response fields overlapping the contralateral choice target (Tin neurons) convey information about choice accuracy. We show that this information would give rise to the behavioral signatures of confidence observed in humans. These findings are surprising because the activity of Tin neurons just before the report is, on average, independent of reaction time and motion strength-strong predictors of accuracy. This tension is resolved by considering the heterogeneity of neuronal responses across the population of Tin neurons. We conclude that neurons representing evidence accumulation may inform a decision-maker's confidence.
More Related Videos
09:33Neuronavigated Focalized Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Administered During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: November 15, 2024
10:35Multi-layer Cortical Ca2+ Imaging in Freely Moving Mice with Prism Probes and Miniaturized Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: June 13, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
The Representativeness Heuristic
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor...
Lobes of the Cerebrum
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Somatosensation
