
Departmental Papers (Psychology)
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
2011
Publication Source
Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics
Volume
4
Issue
2
Start Page
63
Last Page
84
DOI
10.1037/a0023555
Abstract
This article provides the beginning neuroeconomist with an introductory overview to the different methods used in human neuroscience. It describes basic strengths and weaknesses of each technique, points to examples of how each technique has been used in neuroeconomic studies, and provides key tutorial references that contain more detailed information. In addition to this overview, the article presents a framework that organizes human neuroscience methods functionally, according to whether they provide tests of the association between brain activity and cognition or behavior, or whether they test the necessity or the sufficiency of brain activity for cognition and behavior. This framework demonstrates the utility of a multimethod research approach, because converging evidence from tests of association, necessity, and sufficiency provides the strongest inference regarding brain–behavior relationships. Set against this goal of converging evidence, human neuroscience studies in neuroeconomics currently rely far too heavily on methods that test association, most notably functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Copyright/Permission Statement
© 2016 American Psychological Association. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0023555
Keywords
neuroeconomics, methods, functional MRI, lesion studies, noninvasive brain stimulation
Recommended Citation
Kable, J. W. (2011). The Cognitive Neuroscience Toolkit for the Neuroeconomist: A Functional Overview. Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics, 4 (2), 63-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0023555
Date Posted: 06 December 2017
This document has been peer reviewed.