Theta band ERS differences.

<p>(A) The time-frequency map shows the subtraction of the ERS of the low anchor condition from that of the high anchor condition over time (x-axis; 0 is onset of the noise stimulus) and frequency (y-axis) at Cz where ERS reached its maximum. The dotted contour corresponds to the window of 80–280 ms, 4–8 Hz from which the topographical map data in (B), (C) and (D) were obtained. (B) Average theta band ERS (high and low anchors) scalp map. (C) Difference in the theta band ERS (high anchor minus low anchor) scalp map. (D) Scalp map of the <i>p</i>-value of the one-tail t-test (high anchor > low anchor) for the theta band ERS. Blue colors indicate <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p

Grand-average P2 waveforms from channels Fz, FCz and Cz in two anchor conditions (high, low) time-locked to anchor onset.

<p>Grand-average P2 waveforms from channels Fz, FCz and Cz in two anchor conditions (high, low) time-locked to anchor onset.</p

Anchors as Semantic Primes in Value Construction: An EEG Study of the Anchoring Effect

<div><p>Previous research regarding anchoring effects has demonstrated that human judgments are often assimilated to irrelevant information. Studies have demonstrated that anchors influence the economic valuation of various products and experiences; however, the cognitive explanations of this effect remain controversial, and its neural mechanisms have rarely been explored. In the current study, we conducted an electroencephalography (EEG) experiment to investigate the anchoring effect on willingness to accept (WTA) for an aversive hedonic experience and the role of anchors in this judgment heuristic. The behavioral results demonstrated that random numbers affect participants’ WTA for listening to pieces of noise. The participants asked for higher pay after comparing their WTA with higher numbers. The EEG results indicated that anchors also influenced the neural underpinnings of the valuation process. Specifically, when a higher anchor number was drawn, larger P2 and late positive potential amplitudes were elicited, reflecting the anticipation of more intensive pain from the subsequent noise. Moreover, higher anchors induced a stronger theta band power increase compared with lower anchors when subjects listened to the noises, indicating that the participants felt more unpleasant during the actual experience of the noise. The levels of unpleasantness during both anticipation and experience were consistent with the semantic information implied by the anchors. Therefore, these data suggest that a semantic priming process underlies the anchoring effect in WTA. This study provides proof for the robustness of the anchoring effect and neural evidence of the semantic priming model. Our findings indicate that activated contextual information, even seemingly irrelevant, can be embedded in the construction of economic value in the brain.</p></div

Experimental paradigm in the main session.

<p>Subjects first drew a random number and then listened to a piece of noise. After comparing their WTA with the drawn number, they reported their WTA.</p

Comparisons of the theta band ERS when the noise was played between the high and low anchor conditions on the left, middle and right hemispheres.

<p>Data were collapsed within five caudalities (F, FC, C, CP and P). Asterisks indicate significant (*<i>p</i> < 0.05) differences between the high and low anchor conditions.</p

Grand-average LPP waveforms from channels CPz, Pz, POz and Oz in two anchor conditions (high, low) time-locked to anchor onset.

<p>Grand-average LPP waveforms from channels CPz, Pz, POz and Oz in two anchor conditions (high, low) time-locked to anchor onset.</p

Forest plots of the sensitivity and speci­ficity for Ber-EP4 in the diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma for all studies.

<p>The point estimates of sensitivity and specificity for each study are shown as solid circles and the size of each solid circle indicates the sample size of each study. Error bars are 95% confidence intervals.</p

Flow chart of selection process for eligible articles.

<p>Flow chart of selection process for eligible articles.</p

Summary of the studies included in the meta-analysis.

<p>TP, true positive; FP, false positive; FN, false negative; TN, true negative.</p><p>Summary of the studies included in the meta-analysis.</p

Summary of the methodological quality assessment of the included studies according to QUADAS-2 criteria.

<p>LR: low risk; HR: high risk; UR: unclear risk; LC: low concern; HC: high concern; UC: unclear concern.</p><p>Summary of the methodological quality assessment of the included studies according to QUADAS-2 criteria.</p