When neural and behavioral forecasting works : the critical role of matching

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract
Over the last decade, decision neuroscientists have documented several stylized examples of neuroforecasting -- the idea that neuroimaging data collected from a small sample of subjects can be used to estimate how populations will behave. Frequently, these studies demonstrate significant neural forecasts even when forecasting is not possible with choice. Additionally, only three brain regions have been demonstrated to forecast: the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc), Medial PreFrontal Cortex (MPFC), and the Anterior Insula (AIns). However, these studies vary on which brain regions forecast the market outcome of interest. To date, two concepts have been proposed that may help explain discrepant neuroforecasting results. According to a "partial scaling" account, the generalizability of a choice component depends on how basic or integrative the process in question is. Acording to a "market matching" account, choice components that are closely matched to the market outcome of interest will provide better forecasts. This dissertation comprises three studies that aim to test generalizability and matching in forecasting. Chapters 2 and 3 demonstrate that components that generalize well do not always outperform components that are well matched to the market outcome of interest. Chapter 4 demonstrates that when market matching is achieved by matching demographic features between the sample and the population, less generalizable components forecast better. Chapter 5 discusses implications of this research for theory and practice.

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource
Extent 1 online resource.
Place California
Place [Stanford, California]
Publisher [Stanford University]
Copyright date 2021; ©2021
Publication date 2021; 2021
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Author Tong, Chun Pong Lester
Degree supervisor Knutson, Brian
Thesis advisor Knutson, Brian
Thesis advisor Krosnick, Jon A
Thesis advisor Zaki, Jamil, 1980-
Degree committee member Krosnick, Jon A
Degree committee member Zaki, Jamil, 1980-
Associated with Stanford University, Department of Psychology

Subjects

Genre Theses
Genre Text

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Lester Chun Pong Tong.
Note Submitted to the Department of Psychology.
Thesis Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2021.
Location https://purl.stanford.edu/bc203kq5555

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2021 by Chun Pong Lester Tong
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).

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