VmPFC encodes the value of chosen or attended options in comparison with unchosen or unattended options (9, 10, 13). During foraging, however, vmPFC activity only reflected the chosen option value when participants engaged, and there was no representation of search value (Fig. 3A). When subjects searched, the chosen search value was actually negatively correlated with vmPFC activity, and there was no representation of encounter value. The absence of any representation of search value—the average value of the environment—and of search cost (Fig. 3A) restricts any role vmPFC might play in foraging.