Model-based cognitive neuroscience: a conceptual introduction

This tutorial chapter shows how the separate fields of mathematical psychology and cognitive neuroscience can interact to their mutual benefit. Historically, the field of mathematical psychology is mostly concerned with formal theories of behavior, whereas cognitive neuroscience is mostly concerned with empirical measurements of brain activity. Despite these superficial differences in method, the ultimate goal of both disciplines is the same: to understand the workings of human cognition. In recognition of this common purpose, mathematical psychologists have recently started to apply their models in cognitive neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscientists have borrowed and extended key ideas that originated from mathematical psychology. This chapter consists of three main sections: the first describes the field of mathematical psychology, the second describes the field of cognitive neuroscience, and the third describes their recent combination: model-based cognitive neuroscience.