His early theoretical work focused on the hypothesis that dopaminergic systems encode a particular kind of computational process, a reward prediction error signal, similar to those used in areas of artificial intelligence like optimal control.
This work tested the reward prediction error model in human subjects using simple conditioning experiments directly analogous to those used in rodents and non-human primates.
[9][10][11][12][13] His group then tested the reward prediction error idea during an abstract task of social exchange between two interacting humans[14] and showed striatal BOLD signals that changed their timing consistent with a prediction error signal, but in the context of a social exchange.
[15] With Brooks King-Casas and colleagues, Montague later applied the same social exchange approach in participants with Autism [16] Borderline Personality Disorder.
[23][24][25][26][27][28] Montague has written a nonfiction work aimed at lay audiences entitled Why Choose This Book?
He specifically spoke about how real-time imaging allows researchers to examine the complicated neural underpinnings of human interaction.