Perceived control increases the reward positivity and stimulus preceding negativity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Decision Making

Background:

• Motivational intensity influences effort and behavior, varying with perceived task difficulty and control.
• Reward positivity (RewP) and stimulus preceding negativity (SPN) are event-related potentials (ERPs) linked to reward anticipation and feedback.
• Previous research indicates motivational intensity modulates RewP and SPN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if perceived control over outcomes enhances RewP and SPN amplitudes.
• To determine if P300 and Late Positive Potential (LPP) amplitudes are similarly affected by perceived control.
• To explore the relationship between perceived control, motivational intensity, and feedback processing.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five female participants completed a gambling task with varying perceived control conditions.
• Participants received feedback (attractive men vs. rocks) following correct/incorrect choices.
• Event-related potentials (ERPs), including RewP, SPN, P300, and LPP, were recorded.

Main Results:

• Both RewP and SPN were significantly higher in the high perceived control condition compared to the low perceived control condition.
• Perceived control modulated RewP and SPN, but not P300 or LPP amplitudes to reward/nonreward images.
• The findings indicate that perceived control influences the processing of performance feedback.

Conclusions:

• Perceived control over outcomes amplifies neural responses to feedback (RewP) and anticipation (SPN).
• Approach motivation, intensified by perceived control, plays a key role in processing performance feedback.
• The study highlights the impact of subjective control on reward-related neural activity.