The Parallax: The Possible Errors in the Quantification of Human Decision-Making Behavior in the Experiment of Neuroeconomics-A Perspective From Psychoanalysis

Objective: With the development of neuroscience and technology, economics, which focuses on the selection and decision-making of human behavior, has also entered the field of neuroeconomics. Based on rational biological humans, neuroeconomics assumes that humans are rational biological individuals and behaviors of biological humans can be monitored and quantified in the nervous system through brain imaging technologies such as functional MRI and positron emission tomography. Method: As an emerging discipline, neuroeconomics inevitably encounters obstacles in methodology and epistemology, showing excessive constraints in its understanding of rationality and facing basic conceptual disputes on the theoretical basis of "clear uncertainty monism." In neuroeconomics experiments, measurability will inevitably be traced back to quantification, but when faced with a complex and ever-changing social field, what can be predicted is only probability rather than behavior. Not all human behaviors and decisions can be quantified. Therefore, such research may be biased. Psychoanalysis, a major branch of psychology that is quite similar to neuroeconomics research in subject and object, can greatly correct these basic concepts. Results: Seen from the perspective of psychoanalysis, the existence of these unquantifiable things conversely plays a decisive role and cannot be ignored. Conclusions: This article analyzes the core rational behavior detection of neuroeconomics from the perspective of psychoanalysis and proposes suggestions from the epistemology and methodology of experimental design as well as basic concept discrimination and so forth. Clinical Impact Statement As an emerging discipline, neuroeconomics inevitably encounters obstacles in methodology and epistemology, showing excessive constraints in its understanding of rationality and facing basic conceptual disputes on the theoretical basis of "clear uncertainty monism." This article analyzes the core rational behavior detection of neuroeconomics from the perspective of psychoanalysis and proposes suggestions from the epistemology and methodology of experimental design as well as basic concept discrimination and so forth.