Decision Making Threshold
“Definition. A decision making threshold is the value of the
decision making variable at which the decision is made, such that an action is
selected or a commitment to one alternative is made, marking the end of
accumulation of information.
Description. A
decision-making threshold determines when a decision-making process is
completed. It represents a value of the decision variable, which in practice
could be a linear combination of a set of neural firing rates, at which the accumulation
of sensory evidence terminates and a response or action is chosen.”
Decision making threshold is determined by some logical
statements. For example when filling a
glass with water, if the water in the
glass is coming to its edge I should stop pouring it. The decision thresholds may not be explicit
and conscious. We do not really think ‘I
should stop filling the glass when the water reaches the edge of it’. Some decision thresholds work
subconsciously. If the related process
is automatic, the threshold may also be automatic. Many elements in driving have automatic
decision thresholds.
Decision thresholds are also determined globally. Motivation
(related to Dopamin hormone) or alcohol may strongly effect the decsion thresholds
hence the performance. Mood generally
effects the decision making process, hence the decision thresholds. A dull, depressed person has certainly higher thresholds, he
wants to do nothing. Some drugs (for ex.
Lithium) increase the decision making thresholds and decrease the risk of
suicide by a whim.
Focusing also affects the decision thresholds. It lowers the decision thresholds in a
limited subject area and increases the processing speed.
Lowering the decision thresholds globally, increases the
sense of consciousness and eases decision making. Theresulting
increase in the cognitive speed helps the conscious processing to
dominate in the brain. Subconscious does
not have a chance to put its output to service.
Lowering decison thresholds may increase forgetting which
may lead to accidents.
