The Neuroscience Behind Making Decisions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to neuroscience and decision-making as discussed in the lecture.

Neuroscience

The scientific study of the nervous system, particularly the brain, and its impact on behavior.

Decision-making

The cognitive process of selecting a course of action from multiple alternatives.

Prefrontal Cortex

Brain region associated with executive function, planning, and decision-making.

Amygdala

Part of the brain that processes emotions, especially fear.

Striatum

Brain region central to reward processing and habit formation.

Risk-taking

Engaging in behaviors that expose individuals to potential harm or loss.

Emotional Processing

The ability of the brain to identify and respond to emotional stimuli.

Meta-analysis

A statistical method for combining results from multiple studies.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a technique for measuring brain activity.

Activation Likelihood Estimation

A statistical approach to identify brain regions involved in specific tasks.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter linked to the reward system, influencing motivation and pleasure.

Cognitive Control

The ability to regulate thoughts and actions in accordance with goals.

Adolescents

Individuals between the ages of 13 and 19, undergoing significant maturation.

Neural Mechanisms

The brain's processes that underlie cognitive functions and behaviors.

Behavioral Research

The study of the actions and reactions of individuals or groups.

Midbrain

A central part of the brain involved in processing sensory information and regulating movement.

Social Settings

Environments where individuals interact and communicate with others.

Clinical Settings

Health care environments where diagnosis and treatment of patients occur.

Risky Decision Making

Choosing options that involve uncertainty and potential negative outcomes.

Limbic System

A set of brain structures associated with emotions and drives.

Executive Function

The mental skills needed to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks.

Neuroimaging

Techniques used to visualize the structure and function of the brain.

Impulsiveness

Acting without forethought or consideration of consequences.

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate

A brain region implicated in decision-making and emotional regulation.

Voxels

Three-dimensional pixels used in brain imaging studies.

Task-free Connectivity

Analysis of brain activity in resting states rather than during specific tasks.

Participant Recruitment

The process of identifying and selecting individuals for a study.

Meta-analytic Connectivity Model

A model that illustrates connections across different brain regions based on meta-analysis.

Crossover Activation

Simultaneous activation of similar brain areas during different tasks or conditions.

Environmental Cues

External stimuli that influence decision-making processes.

Reaction Time

The time taken to respond to a stimulus.

Neural Correlation

The relationship between brain activity and particular behaviors or responses.

Technological Limitations

Constraints related to the tools and equipment used in research.

Self-reporting

Methods whereby participants provide subjective information about their experiences.

Impulsive Errors

Mistakes made without careful thought or consideration, often due to rapid decision-making.

Experimental Design

The structure and method through which a research study is conducted.

Neural Clusters

Groups of neurons that are activated together in response to stimuli.

Cognitive Capacity

The maximum amount of information an individual can process at one time.