Neuroeconomics

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Neuroeconomics AgingBeginning the
Discussion Antonio RangelStanford
University April 1, 2006
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Neuroeconomics in a Nutshell
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• Goals of Neuroeconomics
• How does the brain computes the solution to
  different types of DM problems? -- which
  variables are computed? -- how do they
  interact? -- how do they lead to choices? --
  what is their neural basis? -- can the brain act
  in multiple modes?
• How does the brain computes its subjective
  experience of well-being? -- how do these
  processes differ from DM process? -- how do
  they affect DM processes?
• What are the implications of this knowledge for
  all of the behavioral sciences and their
  applications?

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AGINGSTUDIES
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Suggestions for Discussion
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TOPIC I Cross-disciplinary Fertilization Neuroec
on -gt Aging What can neuroeconomics contribute
to aging studies? -- Characterization of
processes required for good DM in
different situations -- Tools to study how these
processes change over the life
cycle Aging -gt Neuroecon What can aging
studies contribute to neuroeconomics? -- Menu of
life-cycle behavioral changes that need to
be explained -- New questions. Examples?
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• TOPIC II Typology of processes choice
  situations
• PROCESSES In order to make sound choices, the
  brain needs to deploy multiple processes What
  are the minimal set of separate processes that we
  need to understand?
• SITUATIONS Different choices are likely to be
  solved using a different composition of these
  processes What is a useful taxonomy of DM
  situations that we need to study?

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TOPIC III Which tasks? In order to understand
how DM processes change over the life-cycle and
how this affects DM performance, which battery of
tasks should we run?
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TOPIC IV External validity Two different types
of external validity to worry aboutI.
Population validityII. Task validityAre there
any golden standards that we should follow at
the intersection of Neuroecon Aging?