Spatiotemporal characteristics and modulators of perceptual decision-making in the human brain

Philiastides, M.G. , Diaz, J.A. and Gherman, S. (2017) Spatiotemporal characteristics and modulators of perceptual decision-making in the human brain. In: Dreher, J.-C. and Tremblay, L. (eds.) Decision Neuroscience: An Integrative Approach. Academic Press: London, pp. 137-147. ISBN 9780128053089 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-805308-9.00011-7)

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Abstract

Perceptual decision-making is the process of choosing between two or more alternatives based on an evaluation and integration of sensory information. Converging evidence from electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and theoretical modeling work suggests that the decision process relies on a cascade of neural events. Sensory input is first encoded by the neural modules selective to the choice alternatives before it is passed on to a decision center, which compares the sensory outputs in a noisy process of gradual accumulation of evidence that ultimately leads to a decision. In this chapter we start out with an introduction to the general principles guiding perceptual decision-making. We then take a critical turn to look beyond sensory information as the decisive variable for the decision, and discuss additional factors that interact with, and contribute to, the decision process. Specifically, we review the influence of the following factors: prestimulus state, reward and punishment, speed–accuracy trade-off, learning and training, confidence, and neuromodulation. We show how these decision modulators can exert their influence at various stages of processing, in line with predictions derived from sequential-sampling models of decision-making.

Item Type:Book Sections
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Philiastides, Professor Marios and Diaz, Miss Jessica and Gherman, Miss Sabina
Authors: Philiastides, M.G., Diaz, J.A., and Gherman, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Publisher:Academic Press
ISBN:9780128053089

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