Memory-based Decision-making with Heuristics: Evidence for a Controlled Activation of Memory Representations

Abstract

Abstract■ Many of our daily decisions are memory based, that is, the attribute information about the decision alternatives has to be recalled. Behavioral studies suggest that for such decisions we often use simple strategies (heuristics) that rely on controlled and limited information search. It is assumed that these heuristics simplify decision-making by activating long-term memory representations of only those attributes that are necessary for the decision. However, from behavioral studies alone, it is unclear whether using heuristics is indeed associated with limited memory search. The present study tested this assumption by monitoring the activation of specific long-term-memory representations with fMRI while participants made memory-based decisions using the "take-the-best" heuristic. For different decision trials, different numbers and types of information had to be retrieved and processed. The attributes consisted of visual information known to be represented in different parts of the posterior cortex. We found that the amount of information required for a decision was mirrored by a parametric activation of the dorsolateral PFC. Such a parametric pattern was also observed in all posterior areas, suggesting that activation was not limited to those attributes required for a decision. However, the posterior increases were systematically modulated by the relative importance of the information for making a decision. These findings suggest that memory-based decision-making is mediated by the dorsolateral PFC, which selectively controls posterior storage areas. In addition, the systematic modulations of the posterior activations indicate a selective boosting of activation of decisionrelevant attributes. ■

Constructing preference from experience: The endowment effect reflected in external information search.

“…Johnson et al's (2007) query theory approach-to external search and highlight differences in sellers' and buyers' stopping behavior as one additional factor contributing to the effect. Moreover, our results demonstrate the usefulness of the sampling paradigm as a process-tracing tool and the importance of examining predecisional search in general (see also Khader et al, 2011).…”

Probabilistic inference under time pressure leads to a cortical-to-subcortical shift in decision evidence integration

“…Hence, neural mechanisms underlying heuristic processes that are used to simplify complex decision problems are not well understood (Volz and Gigerenzer, 2012). Prior studies that did examine neural correlates of heuristic decisions have largely focused on memory-guided heuristics (Khader et al, 2015(Khader et al, , 2011Rosburg et al, 2011;Volz et al, 2010Volz et al, , 2006. Given this focus on cached decision strategies and extensive training of explicit task rules, this prior work did not necessarily address how people arrive at decisions in more complex and natural decision environments.…”

Choline reverses scopolamine-induced memory impairment by improving memory reconsolidation

“…Therefore, if the memory of the task is retrieved but does not guide behavior, which process does it? Do decision-making processes (Bogacz, 2007;Clark, Cools, & Robbins, 2004;Khader et al, 2011) guide behavior and lead mice to enter the dark compartment? These possibilities are represented in figure 8.…”