Stimuli in all 4 groups (ambiguous preference, ambiguous belief, unambiguous preference, and unambiguous belief) were matched for length (mean number of characters = 213.5).
This pattern of responding was observed for both beliefs (88% agreement for unambiguous belief vs. 53% agreement for ambiguous belief inferences) and preferences (84% agreement for unambiguous preference vs. 51% agreement for ambiguous preference inferences).
These regions were then interrogated for differences among the mentalizing scenarios by comparing the parameter estimates associated with the 4 mentalizing trial types: unambiguous belief, unambiguous preference, ambiguous belief, and ambiguous preference.
In the current study, unambiguous preference scenarios supported highly certain inferences because of what perceivers knew about their protagonists (i.e., the person), for example, that someone chose a particular item consistently despite having other options.
One possibility is that activity in vMPFC, which responded more during unambiguous inferences about preferences than during unambiguous inferences about beliefs (P < 0.02), could be associated specifically with person-focused attribution (Mitchell et al. 2005).
Recall the preference for unambiguous gambles in the Ellsberg game in section 2.1.
However, the terminology used for preferences is not unambiguous [ 3, 13].
We first identified regions of interest from the comparison of mentalizing > nonsocial (i.e., all unambiguous and ambiguous belief and preference stories vs. nonsocial control stories).
Comparisons across past studies have observed greater MPFC activation during relatively ambiguous inferences about preferences than during relatively unambiguous inference about beliefs, concluding that the relevant difference was in the type of mental state being considered (Van Overwalle 2009).
The stylebook prefers the unambiguous "departing".
To reduce the opportunity for Republican chicanery, the law should state clearly that the issue must appear at the top of the ballot, and impose strict criminal penalties on State officials for hiding or making it anything but clear and unambiguous where the voter makes his preference known on the ballot.
