Which cortex is primarily involved in deferring immediate rewards?

The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to evaluating rewards and guiding behavior based on expected outcomes. This brain region is involved in assessing the value of different rewards, which enables individuals to delay immediate gratification in favor of long-term benefits. The ability to defer immediate rewards is crucial for various aspects of self-control and planning.

In contrast, the pre-motor cortex is mainly involved in the planning and execution of movements, while the motor cortex directs voluntary muscle movements. The visual cortex is responsible for processing visual information and does not directly engage in reward evaluation or deferred gratification. Therefore, the orbitofrontal cortex stands out as the correct answer since it is specifically implicated in the cognitive processes that allow individuals to choose delayed rewards over immediate ones, facilitating advanced decision-making.