The Role of Human Orbitofrontal Cortex in Value Comparison for Incommensurable Objects
Open accessAbstract
The human orbitofrontal cortex is strongly implicated in appetitive valuation. Whether its role extends to support comparative valuation necessary to explain probabilistic choice patterns for incommensurable goods is unknown. Using a binary choice paradigm, we derived the subjective values of different bundles of goods, under conditions of both gain and loss. We demonstrate that orbitofrontal activation reflects the difference in subjective value between available options, an effect evident across valuation for both gains and losses. In contrast, activation in dorsal striatum and supplementary motor areas reflects subjects' choice probabilities. These findings indicate that orbitofrontal cortex plays a pivotal role in valuation for incommensurable goods, a critical component process in human decision making.
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Prior work has established that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays a central role in computing the value of potential choice options, with activity in this region reflecting the dynamic evolution of a value comparison.
“Prior work has established that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays a central role in computing the value of potential choice options1-5, with activity in this region reflecting the dynamic evolution of a value comparison6.”
From Confidence in value-based choice (2013) · cites this paper as [2]
Difference in value (DV) is a reliable predictor of participants' choices, with the slope of the logistic regression being a measure of choice accuracy, or noise in the choice process.
“In line with previous studies we show DV is a reliable predictor of participants’ choices2,19 with the slope of the logistic regression being a measure of choice accuracy, or noise in the choice process20.”
From Confidence in value-based choice (2013) · cites this paper as [2]
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References 55 · Cited by 279
- Authors
- FitzGerald, T. H. B., Seymour, B., & Dolan, R. J.
- Affiliations
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
- Corresponding author
- FitzGerald, T. H. B.
- Venue
- Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Society for Neuroscience
- Published
- 2009-07-01
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 26
- Pages
- 8388-8395
- ISSN
- 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-2401
- PMC
- PMC2712081
- OpenAlex
- W2070655832
- Cited by
- 279
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 9.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Cambridge University Engineering Department Publications Database (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (078865)
- King's College London
- Economic and Social Research Council (RES-538-28-1001)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- orbitofrontal cortex, subjective value, comparative valuation, probabilistic choice, choice probabilities, dorsal striatum, supplementary motor area, binary choice, decision-making
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Analysis of Variance, Brain Mapping, Cues, Decision Making, Female, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Oxygen, Photic Stimulation, Probability, Reaction Time, Reward, Task Performance and Analysis, Time Factors, Young Adult
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