Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:13
The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice
Published on: October 24, 2018
Abnormal response to failure in unmedicated major depression
Katie M Douglas1, Richard J Porter, Christopher M Frampton
1Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. katie.douglas@otago.ac.nz
Journal of Affective Disorders
|March 17, 2009
Summary
Depressed individuals show an abnormal response to failure, making more errors after mistakes than healthy controls. This suggests reduced motivation from errors in depression, impacting neurobiological and psychological theories.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Depression is linked to abnormal responses to failure, characterized by performance decline after errors.
- This study investigates this phenomenon in unmedicated, depressed outpatients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the response to failure in unmedicated major depressive disorder patients.
- To compare performance and error patterns between depressed patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Forty-four unmedicated patients with major depression and 44 healthy controls participated.
- Participants completed a computerized simultaneous/delayed matching-to-sample task (S/DMTS).
Main Results:
- Depressed patients were less accurate than controls on the S/DMTS task.
- The likelihood of making an error after a previous error was significantly higher in depressed individuals.
- Both groups improved performance after an error, but depressed individuals showed a greater error-following-error probability.
Conclusions:
- The abnormal response to negative feedback in depression was replicated in this unmedicated group.
- Impaired response to failure in depression may stem from a reduced motivating effect of errors.
- Findings have implications for neurobiological and psychological theories of depression.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Depression: Overview
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...