Biasing free choices: The role of the rostral cingulate zone in intentional control

Humans have the ability to choose freely between different alternatives. It is common knowledge, however, that our free choices are influenced by the environment and by past experiences. In the present study we investigated if the involvement of the medial frontal cortex, which is known to be import...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Fla.), 2013-05, Vol.72, p.207-213
Main Authors: Demanet, Jelle, De Baene, Wouter, Arrington, Catherine M., Brass, Marcel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Behavior
Bias
Biological and medical sciences
Brain Mapping
Choice Behavior - physiology
External bias
Female
Free choice
Frontal Lobe - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Hypotheses
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Intentional control
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Mind wandering
Past experiences
Rostral cingulate zone
Studies
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Volition
Young Adult
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Summary:Humans have the ability to choose freely between different alternatives. It is common knowledge, however, that our free choices are influenced by the environment and by past experiences. In the present study we investigated if the involvement of the medial frontal cortex, which is known to be important for intentional control, depends on whether free choices are biased by past experiences. By using fMRI, we observed that the rostral cingulate zone (RCZ) is less activated during biased than during unbiased choices. On the basis of this finding we argue that the RCZ plays a specific role in intentional control of action by evaluating which alternative is most appropriate in a given context. In addition, we observed that free choices were biased more during mind wandering episodes than during on-task episodes. This finding suggests that during periods of mind wandering, attention is shifted away from the primary task and external factors can influence the choice process more easily. ► External biases reduce the involvement of the RCZ during free choices. ► The RCZ hosts the ‘what’ component of intentional control. ► Mind wandering increases the likelihood that free choices are biased. ► Mind wandering reduces the efficiency of intentional control.
ISSN:1053-8119
1095-9572
DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.01.052