Neural dissociation of delay and uncertainty in intertemporal choice

Christian C. Luhmann, Marvin M. Chun, Do Joon Yi, Daeyeol Lee, Xiao Jing Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Decision makers often face choices whose consequences unfold over time. To explore the neural basis of such intertemporal choice behavior, we devised a novel two-alternative choice task with probabilistic reward delivery and contrasted two conditions that differed only in whether the outcome was revealed immediately or after some delay. In the immediate condition, we simply varied the reward probability of each option and the outcome was revealed immediately. In the delay condition, the outcome was revealed after a delay during which the reward probability was governed by a constant hazard rate. Functional imaging revealed a set of brain regions, such as the posterior cingulate cortex, parahippocampal gyri, and frontal pole, that exhibited activity uniquely associated with the temporal aspects of the task. This engagement of the so-called "default network" suggests that during intertemporal choice, decision makers simulate the impending delay via a process of prospection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14459-14466
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume28
Issue number53
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 31 2008

Keywords

  • Decision
  • Discounting
  • Intertemporal choice
  • Prospection
  • Temporal resolution of uncertainty
  • fMRI

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neural dissociation of delay and uncertainty in intertemporal choice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this