Neural signals for reward value and risk

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• Prof. Wolfram Schultz, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
• Friday 29 October 2010, 13:00-14:30
• Room B16, the Law Faculty.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Donna Harris.

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.

This talk is part of the Cambridge Experimental and Behavioural Research Group (CEBEG) series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Cambridge Experimental and Behavioural Research Group (CEBEG)
• Room B16, the Law Faculty

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