Alyssa A. Brewer

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About

Alyssa A. Brewer is a neuroscientist whose research lies at the intersection of game theory, social decision-making, and neuromodulation. Her work investigates how the brain navigates complex social interactions, particularly focusing on the neural mechanisms underlying cooperation, retaliation, and risk assessment. In her highly cited 2012 paper (18 citations), Brewer introduced a groundbreaking paradigm using adaptive agents in social games, moving beyond traditional static opponents to create a more ecologically valid model of reciprocal behavior. This work revealed critical insights into how the brain computes fairness and punishment during dynamic social exchanges. Building on this foundation, her influential 2013 review (10 citations) explored the role of serotonin (5-HT) in decision-making, proposing that this neuromodulator is central to cost-benefit analysis and harm aversion. Brewer’s research uniquely bridges computational modeling with neurobiology, offering a dynamic, embodied framework for understanding psychiatric conditions where social decision-making is impaired. Her contributions have been instrumental in shifting the field toward more realistic models of human interaction, making her a leading voice in the neuroeconomics of social behavior.