Question

In an experiment that combined both physiological and behavioral approaches to the study of decision making, prefrontal cortex activity was recorded while participants accepted or rejected proposals to split a sum of money ($10). Prefrontal cortex activation was:________

a. Dependent on how much money the responder was offered
b. The same for accepted and rejected offers
c. Greatest for accepted offers
d. Greatest for rejected offers

Answer 1

Answer: b. The same for accepted and rejected offers

Explanation: This game, known as the Ultimatum Game, is used to study economic decision making processes. It involves two players, one offering the other, known as the responder, to split a sum of money. If the other player accepts the offer, they each get a part of the money and if not, both players walk away with nothing.

Logically, it is assumed that the responder will agree to split the money unless his/her share is a very low percentage of the total amount. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision making and its activation is the same whether the responder accepts or rejects the offer.