The Neural Basis of Following Advice
Author Information
Author(s): Biele Guido, Rieskamp Jörg, Krugel Lea K., Heekeren Hauke R.
Primary Institution: Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
Hypothesis
How does the brain implement advice-taking to maximize rewards?
Conclusion
Following advice is intrinsically rewarding and influences learning processes.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants preferred the recommended deck over the non-recommended deck throughout the experiment.
- fMRI results revealed a neural outcome-bonus signal in the septal area and left caudate.
- Advice had a sustained effect on choices and modulated learning in two ways.
- Participants with greater outcome-bonuses showed a greater gain-signal increase in the amygdala.
Takeaway
When people get advice, it helps them make better choices and feel good about those choices, even if the advice isn't always right.
Methodology
The study used fMRI and behavioral experiments to analyze how advice influences decision-making.
Potential Biases
Potential biases from the advisors' motivations and the participants' prior experiences.
Limitations
The study design did not randomize advice-following trials, which may have influenced results.
Participant Demographics
Twenty-one right-handed healthy participants, free of neurological and psychiatric history.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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