CEBEG workshop

Neural signals for reward value and risk

Prof Wolfram Schultz

Friday 29th October 2010 , 13.00-14.00, Room B16, the Law Faculty

The functions of rewards are based on their effects on behaviour and are less directly governed by the physics and chemistry of sensory inputs. Therefore the investigation of neural mechanisms underlying reward functions is helped by behavioural theories, including animal learning theory and economic utility theory. The reward system of the brain is comprised of specific structures, including the midbrain dopamine neurons, orbitofrontal cortex, striatum and amygdala. The presentation will describe neural signals in these structures related to basic decision variables, such as the magnitude, probability, expected value and variance (risk) of reward. Temporal discounting shows that reward value is coded subjectively. Some risk signals depend on individual risk attitudes, and risk influences neuronal value signals.

Downloads

• how to reach WS lab.ppt
• 2009 Lucy JNP discount.pdf
• neuron10405 proof
• 2008 Kobayashi JN discount.pdf
• 2010 Burke PNAS.pdf
• 2009 PNAS value-risk.pdf

Previous Presentations

Skill versus Luck: When are people more likely to mistake good luck for skill in evaluating high performances?

Friday 5th February 2010
Speaker: Chengwei Liu

How to conduct an experiment using z-Tree
Friday 30th October, 2009
Speakers: Daniele Nozenso (University of Nottingham) and Donna Harris (University of Cambridge) Powerpoint Presentation Introduction to z-Tree