Neurobiology of Decision Making: Methodology in Decision-Making Research. Neuroanatomical and Neurobiochemical Fundamentals

The research into decision making relies on psychology, neurobiology, pathology as well as economics and it encompasses factors that play a leading role in the process of making decisions on the neural level, regardless of the fact if they are made consciously or subconsciously. From the psychological point of view decision making is a process where cognitive, emotional and motivational aspects play a vital role. Studies on the brain magnetic nuclear resonance imaging reveal that decision-making processes begin before an individual is able to realize it. Neurochemistry has identified several neurotransmitters that are differently associated with decision-making processes, the most important ones being dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, oxytocin and prolactin. Due to a complicated nature of neurotransmitters, the mechanisms that implicate their production are to fully understood yet and it is still not quite known how they work. From the neurochemical perspective, the control of decision-making processes is determined by good communication among different parts of the brain that is regulated by the levels of serotonin. Decision making is a complex process which is possible due to processes taking place in many parts of our brain. However, neuroanatomically speaking, it is the prefrontal cortex that plays a pivotal role in coordinating these processes. To some extent decision making is based on an assumption that people are able to predict other people’s behavior and step into their shoes. This capability results from individual preferences and beliefs. Social neuroscience allows us to see neural mechanisms underlying the human ability to represent our intentions. Neurobiology, in turn, strives to explain how relevant moral decisions appear in our brains and how they can modify our emotions. Studies on neurobiological background of our decision-making processes give us better insight into the presumably bounded human rationality as well as into the role of emotions, morality and empathy. Also, these studies contribute to our knowledge about the course of decision-making processes and their adaptive value.