Abstract: Belief in one’s ability to exert control over the environment plays a critical role in decision-making and overall well-being. This talk explores the inherent value of perceived control by examining: (a) the affective experience associated with perceiving control and (b) the subjective value attributed to the ability to exert control. We will focus on the role of a cortico-striatal circuit—commonly involved in reward processing—in evaluating the mere presence of choice. Additionally, we will discuss how perceived control during task performance can positively impact emotion regulation and subsequent behavior.