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Discrepancy between feedback negativity and subjective evaluation in gambling
Atsuhito Toyomaki1, Harumitsu Murohashi
1Graduate School of Education, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan. toyomaki@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Neuroreport
|October 21, 2005
Summary
Feedback negativity, a brain response to negative outcomes, is also triggered by neutral results, not just losses. This brain potential is independent of the severity of monetary loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Making
Background:
- Feedback negativity is a neural response to errors or losses.
- Its elicitation by neutral feedback or subjective punishment severity is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if feedback negativity occurs with neutral outcomes.
- To determine if subjective punishment magnitude influences feedback negativity.
Main Methods:
- A computerized 'rock-paper-scissors' gambling task was used.
- Event-related potentials, specifically feedback negativity, were measured.
- Monetary rewards and outcomes (win, loss, draw) were manipulated.
Main Results:
- Feedback negativity was elicited by monetary loss and even outcomes (draws).
- The brain response was independent of the magnitude of monetary loss.
- Results indicate feedback negativity is not exclusively tied to losses or punishment severity.
Conclusions:
- Feedback negativity is broader than initially thought, responding to neutral outcomes.
- The findings challenge the specificity of feedback negativity to punishment.
- This suggests a more general role in processing outcome significance.