Urgency in value-based decision-making leads to simple strategy use via activation of the presupplementary motor cortex
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Decision processes are often described at two levels: the process level and the control, strategic level. In value-based multi-attribute choice, people can either evaluate all available information (compensatory strategy) or rely on the most crucial information (simple strategy). This strategy selection problem, which is a key function of the control level, has been underexplored, although several studies have explored the neural underpinnings of decision-making at the process level. In this study, we aimed to 1) test whether predecisional information processing and strategy use depend on urgency, a hypothesis based on previous findings from perceptual decision-making; 2) determine the neural correlates of this effect. To this end, we used the probabilistic inference choice task, where participants must choose a better option based on sequential sampling of up to six probabilistic cues. In different trials, inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) of either 1 s or 2 s represented two urgency conditions. We analysed both behavioural data describing decision strategy use, and fMRI data related to this process. The results conceptually replicate previous findings from perceptual decision-making, showing that longer ISIs (greater urgency) led to the choice of an option associated with lower probability of winning and were associated with a greater tendency to use the simple choice strategy. Activity of the right preSMA was higher when there was a lower probability of winning in the longer ISI condition, and among simple strategy users in general. Our study underscores the role of urgency in value-based decision-making, showing the influence of temporal processing on strategy selection and it underscores the role of the presupplementary motor cortex as part of the neural substrate of this process.