Introduction

The experiment is comprised of a pre-rating phase outside of the scanner, two task phases inside the MRI scanner (as well as a resting state phase) and a post-rating phase again outside of the scanner.

Phase 1 - Pre-Rating

In the pre-rating phase all items loaded from the item list files are presented to the participant in random order. For each item the participant is instructed to rate the attractiveness of the particular item on a scale from 0-9 (how much the participant would like to execute the activity presented). The phase starts with screens giving instructions on how to do the rating.

The best rated third of the items will not be used in the later phases.

Phase 2 - Choice/Assignment

The choice/assignment phase is sub-divided into two parts that are each preceded by screens giving instructions for the tasks. This phase is conducted in the scanner.

In the choice phase the participants are presented with three items from the item lists. They are instructed to indicate which of the three tasks they are choosing to do by pressing one of three buttons. The chosen item is marked by a gray box after an item has been selected.

In the assignment phase three items are presented to the participant and after some seconds delay one of the items is marked as being assigned to the participant by a gray box like those that gave the feedback in the choice phase. The participant is instructed to acknowledge the assignment by pressing the button corresponding to the assigned item’s position.

Phase 3 - Report

The report phase is sub-divided into two parts that are each preceded by screens giving instructions for the tasks. This phase is conducted in the scanner.

In choice report phase the participant is presented with one item per screen that has either been chosen by the participant or was neither chosen nor assigned. The participant is instructed to indicate if the item was chosen or not.

In assignment report phase the participant is presented with one item per screen that has either been assigned by the computer or was neither chosen nor assigned. The participant is instructed to indicate if the item was assigned by the computer or not.

Phase 4 - Post-Rating

The post-rating phase works exactly the same way as the pre-rating phase and is conducted as the last phase of the experiment, again outside of the scanner.

Resting State Phase

The resting state scan is being done between the choice/assignment phase and the report phase. The participant is instructed to relax and not think of anything special while watching a slide show of photos and listening to relaxing music.