The Neural Basis of Economic Decision-making in the Ultimatum Game Jonathan D. Cohen lab, Princeton University Deborah Bird November 14, 2008

Questions: What are the neural correlates of fairness? What are the relative contributions of cognitive and emotional processes to economic decision-making? Hypothesis: Decisions to either accept or reject unfair offers will engage neural structures involved in both emotional and cognitive processing

Possible offers: 5:5 7:3 8:2 9:1 Proposer Responder

Possible offers: 5:5… x 5 7:3… x 2 8:2… x 1 9:1… x 2 Proposer Responder

Right Anterior Insula Left Anterior Insula

9:1 8:2 5:5

Negative emotional states linked to anterior insula activation in neuroimaging studies: Pain and distress: M J Iadarola, 1998 Hunger and thirst: D. Denton, 1999 Autonomic arousal: H D Critchley, 2000 Evaluation of negative emotional states, ie. anger and disgust

M. J. Iadarola et al Pain: Insula after injection of capsaicin

Anterior Insula activation in neuroimaging studies: Pain and distress: M J Iadarola, 1998 Hunger and thirst: D. Denton, 1999 Autonomic arousal: H D Critchley, 2000 Evaluation of negative emotional states, ie. anger and disgust

Disgust

Distaste

Anterior Insula and Taste/Distaste: P Rozin, 1993 DM Small, 2000 Penfield and Faulk, 2000

Anterior Insula and Disgust Recognition AJ Calder, 2001

Disgust! Andrew J. Calder; Nature Reviews Neuroscience; 2001

Disgust recognition. Activation of insula (in purple) during recognition of facial expressions showing disgust. Andrew J. Calder; 2001

Conclusion: Emotional states are an important factor informing human decision-making. Competition and interplay between the anterior insula and the DLPFC represent the twin demands of the Ultimatum Game: The emotional resistance to unfairness The cognitive task of accumulating money