The neural correlates of efficient rule exploration in human decision-making under uncertainty
Anne Collins, Professor
Psychology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
Over the course of millions of years, the human brain has been intricately shaped by the process of evolution, transforming it into an unparalleled learning system capable of adeptly navigating complex and ever-changing natural environments. While its remarkable learning abilities surpass those of cutting-edge machine learning algorithms, the complexities of the brain remain an unsolved puzzle. Our research aims to unravel the computational and neural mechanisms employed by the human brain to effectively explore under uncertainty.
This project aims to investigate human exploration and decision-making using behavioral testing, computational modeling, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). fMRI is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It is widely used in cognitive neuroscience to investigate brain function.
Throughout the semester, apprentices will learn basic neurophysiology and fMRI scanner operation, as well as gain experience in fMRI data collection. Depending on the data collection progress, apprentices may have the opportunity to acquire fMRI data processing and analysis skills.
Role: Apprentices will be expected to familiar themselves with the objectives and content of the project. They should possess the ability to articulate the experiment's purpose and predictions clearly. The mentor will offer guidance in reviewing literature to contextualize the specific project within a broader framework. They will also be expected to participate in regular meetings with their mentor and the lab group.
Qualifications: Applicants should have strong interests in cognitive neuroscience. Experience with data analysis and visualization is a plus. Having flexibility with hours and the capacity to be present during evenings and occasional weekends is a plus. Depending on the particular tasks, familiarity with programming may be beneficial, though not required.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Chiara Caldinelli, Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Related website: https://ccn.berkeley.edu/
Social Sciences Education, Cognition & Psychology