Neurophysiological Signals Parametrically Track Subjective Conflict during Intertemporal Choice

When choosing between equally desirable options, how is decision conflict represented in the brain? We measured neurophysiological signals that are believed to reflect decision processes in different brain regions as participants made intertemporal decisions. Participant-specific delayed rewards (e.g., $20.30 in 10 days)â generated based on each participant's hyperbolic discount functionâ were presented to parametrically vary the amount of decision conflict in different choice pairs. We found that conflict negativity and pupil dilation track varying degrees of conflict, suggesting the anterior cingulate and locus coeruleus/norepinephrine system are implicated in value comparison and conflict monitoring processes. We show that the neuroeconomic and psychophysiological approaches can be integrated to better understand the neural systems and processes underlying decision making.M.A