Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision-Making

There are many different types of decisions - from the important and life-changing to the mundane and everyday - but all are important for our functioning as humans. This book offers an accessible guide to the complex process of human decision-making, tailored for both undergraduate and graduate students. It combines recent research with real-life examples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying biology of decision-making, its relationship to cognitive abilities such as working memory, executive function and attention, and its intersection with development. The book also explores applications and theories of decision-making, giving readers a broader perspective on the field. Presented in an accessible format with in-depth explanations, the work provides everything needed to build a strong basis of understanding of the underlying biology to the more complex topics of how decision-making develops and impacts on other behaviours. Discussion points are included throughout to encourage deeper reflection on the content covered.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. Executive function and cognitive control; 3. The prefrontal cortex; 4. Prefrontal cortex structure and organisation; 5. Neurotransmitters and neurophysiology; 6. Memory; 7. Decision networks; 8. Decision-making styles and models of decision-making; 9. Development; 10. The role of childhood experiences in decision-making; 11. Decision-making deficits; 12. Implications of decision-making.

About the author

Stacey A. Bedwell is a Lecturer in Psychology and Neuroscience who has developed courses on the neuropsychology of decision-making at King's College London and the University of Cambridge. She was awarded her PhD in Neuroanatomy in 2015.

Product details

• Authors: Stacey A. Bedwell, Stacey A. (Kings College London) Bedwell
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 31.10.2025, delayed
• EAN: 9781009407977
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0940797-7
• No. of pages: 162
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Theoretical psychology; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Psychology: general, reference works; Psychology, PSYCHOLOGY / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Health psychology, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Neurosciences, Cognition and cognitive psychology, Applied Psychology, Cognitive studies, Cognitive Science, Physiological psychology, neuropsychology, biopsychology