Birte U. Forstmann - Böcker

Two recent innovations, the emergence of formal cognitive models and the addition of cognitive neuroscience data to the traditional behavioral data, have resulted in the birth of a new, interdisciplinary field of study: model-based cognitive neuroscience.

This book presents a flexible Bayesian framework for combining neural and cognitive models. Traditionally, studies in cognition and cognitive sciences have been done by either observing behavior (e.g., response times, percentage correct, etc.) or by observing neural activity (e.g., the BOLD response). These two types of observations have traditionally supported two separate lines of study, which are led by two different cognitive modelers. Joining neuroimaging and computational modeling in a single hierarchical framework allows the neural data to influence the parameters of the cognitive model and allows behavioral data to constrain the neural model. This Bayesian approach can be used to reveal interactions between behavioral and neural parameters, and ultimately, between neural activity and cognitive mechanisms. Chapters demonstrate the utility of this Bayesian model with a variety of applications, and feature a tutorial chapter where the methods can be applied to an example problem. The book also discusses other joint modeling approaches and future directions.Joint Models of Neural and Behavioral Data will be of interest to advanced graduate students and postdoctoral candidates in an academic setting as well as researchers in the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

The main goal of this edited collection is to promote the integration of cognitive modeling and cognitive neuroscience. Experts in the field provide tutorial-style chapters that explain particular techniques and highlight their usefulness through concrete examples and numerous case studies. The book also includes a thorough list of references pointing the reader toward additional literature and online resources. The second edition of Introduction to Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience explores important new advances in the field including joint modeling and applications in areas such as computational psychiatry, neurodegenerative diseases, and social decision-making.