Neural and Behavioral Impact of Organizational Management on Information Manipulation

Joshua Roberts

Advisor: Layne Kalbfleisch, PhD, Neuroscience Program Program

Committee Members: Robert Smith, Daniel Houser, Jane Flinn

Krasnow Building, #222
December 04, 2013, 09:00 AM to 06:30 AM

Abstract:

Using the ELICIT (Experimental Laboratory for Investigating Collaboration, Information-sharing, and Trust) program within the fMRI environment, researchers are able to examine the neural systems supporting individual information management associated with choice-making and social exchange (Kalbfleisch & Nissen, 2010). In a recent study we utilized this ELICIT game within the fMRI to determine the behavioral and neural discrepancy between two opposing organizational structures; Edge and Hierarchy. Results of this preliminary study revealed discrepant performance and physiological results dependent on organizational condition suggesting a condition-induced behavioral response. In this current study we have examined these relevant findings with more focused analyses to determine how and why these differences exist. Findings herein indicate that the advantage in response-time afforded by the Edge condition are the result of individual in-game actions supporting a more compartmentalized approach to the integrative deductive reasoning process.