(d) Describe a theory of ventromedial prefrontal cortex function that can account for this pattern of results. Note: We discussed two theories of ventromedial prefrontal cortex function in class. Keep in mind that we have interchangeably used the labels “ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC or VMPC) lesions” and “orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) lesions” to describe similar damage in patients
A researcher has designed a card choice task to better understand altered decision making in a group of patients who have sustained damage to their ventromedial prefrontal cortex (compared to a non-damaged control group). Participants complete 120 trials. On each trial they choose to flip over a card from one of two decks of face down cards labeled deck 1 and deck 2. Each card flipped over wins or loses an amount of money. In deck 1 (the “bad deck”), 9 out of 10 cards wins $100 but one out of ten cards loses $1250. In deck 2 (the “good deck”), 9 out of 10 cards wins $50 and one out of ten loses $250. The researcher measures the number of choices from the “good deck” versus the “bad deck”, and measures anticipatory skin conductance responses immediately before participants choose from the “good deck” compared to the “bad deck”. The research finds that after experiencing wins and losses from 60 choice trials, control group participants on average begin to choose the “good deck” more frequently than the “bad deck” (for trials 61-120).
(d) Describe a theory of ventromedial prefrontal cortex function that can account for this pattern of results. Note: We discussed two theories of ventromedial prefrontal cortex function in class. Keep in mind that we have interchangeably used the labels “ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC or VMPC) lesions” and “orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) lesions” to describe similar damage in patients.
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