Neuroeconomics: The science of decision making

Psychologists and neuroscientists have tried to understand the mechanisms by which humans make decisions, and it has been also a very important field of research for economists. For years, micro-economists have tried to figure out the individual’s decision-making strategies - when choosing between different items to buy, for instance - so that they could predict and manipulate customer’s choices. However, they discovered that human’s decision-making behaviors do not always follow a rational model which can be easily predicted.

That is how “Neuroeconomics” was born; A young interdisciplinary field of study in which experimental and behavioral economists, together with scientists in the fields of cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychology, help each other to uncover the basis of decision-making processes in the brain.

In this session, I will talk about the brain regions which are believed to play an important role in our decision-making processes and I will review several papers showing that how external stimulation of these regions may change our choices. I will also talk about some of the cognitive biases and limitations that affect our decisions unconsciously.

At the end, we can have a discussion and share ideas.

This session will be lead by TalkScience member Pasha Zamani.

Bring wine/beer/drinks/food/snacks/whatever if you want to.

Press the buzzer marked Semi sotano 2 to be let in. It's down the stairs, first door on the right.