Is value-based choice repetition susceptible to medial frontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)? A preregistered study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

In value-based decision making, people have to weigh different options based on their subjective value. This process, however, also is influenced by choice biases, such as choice repetition: in a series of choices, people are more likely to repeat their decision than to switch to a different choice. Previously, it was shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can affect such choice biases. We applied tDCS over the medial prefrontal cortex to investigate whether tDCS can alter choice repetition in value-based decision making. In a preregistered study, we applied anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS stimulation to 52 participants. While we found robust choice repetition effects, we did not find support for an effect of tDCS stimulation. We discuss these findings within the larger scope of the tDCS literature and highlight the potential roles of interindividual variability and current density strength.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)747-762
Number of pages16
JournalCognitive, affective, & behavioral neuroscience : CABN
Volume21
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2 Aug 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85103594050
ORCID /0000-0002-4408-6016/work/142234410
ORCID /0000-0002-1005-0090/work/142237496
ORCID /0000-0003-4910-3468/work/142255127

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