Decision making is the process we use to identify and choose potential options, estimate and compare their subjective values, and produce a final choice. Most of us are required to make decisions on a daily basis, ranging from the most ordinary decisions – “should I continue watching TV?” to make a life-changing choice – “should I leave this relationship?” Nobel Laureate Francis Crick proposed that the process of making these decisions (e.g. feelings, thoughts, and actions) is the product of neural activity in the brain.
A better understanding of the neural activity behind decision-making may help you develop new behaviours and change bad habits. Using scanning devices that measure the brain’s activity, scientists at BrainPark can explore how the different parts of our brain interact when we make decisions. Such knowledge can help scientists find the roots of decision-making common to mental health disorders such as addiction as well as design cognitive interventions that promote long-term health and well-being.
What’s involved?
- Answering questions online and over the phone about your mental health, substance use history, and decision-making styles.
- Attending an in-person session at MBI which will involve completing cognitive tasks as well as a 45 minute fMRI scan.
- To compensate you for your time, you will be paid $50 for your participation.
If you are located in Clayton or its surrounding area and interested in helping us better understand how decision-making processes influence daily behaviours and mental health, please click on this link to find out more about participation in our study: https://tinyurl.com/2jxexnhn
Contact
Should you wish to to contact our research team about this study, please email us on:
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC): Project Number: 30229