Evidence accumulation, not 'self-control', explains dorsolateral prefrontal activation during normative choice

What role do regions like the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) play in normative behavior (e.g., generosity, healthy eating)? Some models suggest that dlPFC activation during normative choice reflects controlled inhibition or modulation of default hedonistic preferences. Here, we develop an alternative account, showing that evidence accumulation models predict trial-by-trial variation in dlPFC response across three fMRI paradigms and two self-control contexts (altruistic sacrifice and healthy eating). Using these models to simulate a variety of self-control dilemmas generated a novel prediction: although dlPFC activity might typically increase for norm-consistent choices, deliberate self-regulation focused on normative goals should decrease or even reverse this pattern (i.e., greater dlPFC response for hedonistic, self-interested choices). We confirmed these predictions in both altruistic and dietary choice contexts. Our results suggest that dlPFC response during normative choice may depend more on value-based evidence accumulation than inhibition of our baser instincts.

Automated summary

The study suggests that the activation of dlPFC during normative choice may depend more on value-based evidence accumulation than inhibition of default hedonistic preferences. Deliberate self-regulation focusing on normative goals may decrease or even reverse the pattern of dlPFC response, showing greater activation for hedonistic, self-interested choices.