PSYC 118 Decision Making and Free Will – Extra Credit Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts from a lecture on Decision Making and Free Will, including definitions and significant studies related to the topics.

Decision Making

The process of selecting a course of action among multiple possibilities.

Behavioral Economics

A merging of psychology and economics, showing that people are not always rational in their decisions.

Neuroeconomics

The study of brain structures related to economic behavior.

Near Miss Effect

A phenomenon where a losing outcome appears close to a win, encouraging continued play despite being irrational.

Mesocortical Pathway

Carries dopamine from the VTA to the prefrontal cortex, involved in executive functioning and goal-seeking behavior.

Mesolimbic Pathway

Carries dopamine from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens, involved in pleasure and addiction.

Nigrostriatal Pathway

Carries dopamine from the substantia nigra to the striatum, involved in voluntary movement and habits.

Undermining Effect of Extrinsic Rewards

When receiving extrinsic value for a behavior reduces motivation for that behavior in absence of extrinsic value.

Libet's Study

Investigated whether brain activity precedes or follows conscious decisions, finding that brain activity occurs before conscious decisions.

Hard Determinism

The belief that our decisions and behaviors are predetermined by outside forces.

Libertarianism

The belief that our behaviors are not predetermined and are a result of free will.

Soon et al. (2008) Study

Found that brain activity in prefrontal areas could predict a future choice up to 10 seconds before the conscious decision was made.