ABSTRACT
To better understand processes involved in decision-making and to be able to predict behavioral choices traditionally, formal mathematical models that accurately predict decision-making outcomes under various conditions had been used. Mathematical modeling bias makes it very difficult, however, to develop a better understanding of the various psychological or physiological variables that may be influencing the decision-making process under various circum. Decision-making under risk involves deciding between options that offer probabilistic outcomes. Stress in decision-making can arise because of external factors such as time constraints placed by the demands of the decision, or internal factors such as a decision involving a difficult tradeoff between several important dimensions. The hydrocortisone administration modulated the activity in the same brain region associated with the parameters listed above in a manner that is entirely consistent with the behavioral effects observed, allowing us to test specific mediation models.
