Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
11.3K
The Influence of Depression on Cognitive Control: Disambiguating Approach and Avoidance Tendencies
He Huang1, Javier Movellan2, Martin P Paulus3,4
1Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 26, 2015
Summary
Depression impacts cognitive control by increasing avoidance motivation, leading to longer stopping distances. Approach motivation appears less affected in depressed individuals, particularly near stopping targets.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Depression is linked to dysfunctions in approach and avoidance motivation.
- These motivational deficits can impair cognitive control, affecting goal-directed behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of depression on cognitive control using a novel simulated driving task.
- To measure approach and avoidance actions in continuous time to understand motivational changes in depression.
Main Methods:
- A computer-simulated driving task was employed with 39 participants exhibiting varying depression severity.
- Participants controlled a virtual car using a joystick, aiming for a target while avoiding obstacles like stop signs and walls.
- Continuous joystick actions were recorded to analyze approach (acceleration) and avoidance (deceleration) behaviors.
Main Results:
- Depression was associated with a significantly increased stopping distance to the task target.
- A notable increase in late deceleration (avoidance) was observed in depressed individuals.
- Early acceleration (approach) did not significantly differ, except in the specific stop-sign condition.
Conclusions:
- Depression enhances avoidance motivation, particularly when nearing stopping targets.
- Approach motivation seems less affected by depressive symptoms in this context.
- Findings support the hypothesis of heightened avoidance but not approach motivation deficits in depression.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
291
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
291
01:25Cognitive Therapy
1.4K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.4K
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
684
Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
684
01:20Decision Making
1.2K
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
1.2K
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
386
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
386
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
833
Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the...
833