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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 1, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
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Decomposing the effort paradox in reward processing: Time matters.

Wei Yi1, Shuting Mei1, Mang Zhang1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.

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Summary

Effort impacts reward processing differently over time. High effort decreases reward anticipation but increases reward consumption sensitivity, supporting psychological contrast theory.

Keywords:
EffortEvent-related potentialReward dynamics

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Decision Making

Background:

  • Effort expenditure influences reward value, creating a paradox where it can both discount and accrue value.
  • Understanding the neural mechanisms behind this effort-reward interaction is crucial for explaining decision-making processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neural dynamics of how effort expenditure affects subsequent reward processing.
  • To decompose the 'effort paradox' by examining electrophysiological activity during anticipatory and consummatory reward phases.

Main Methods:

  • Event-related potential (ERP) study with participants exerting varying effort levels for monetary rewards.
  • Analysis of electrophysiological activity during reward anticipation (stimulus-preceding negativity) and consumption (feedback-related ERPs).

Main Results:

  • High effort eliminated enhanced stimulus-preceding negativity for high reward anticipation.
  • Effort expenditure amplified reward positivity (200-300 ms) during reward consumption, but not P3 (400-600 ms).

Conclusions:

  • Findings support the psychological contrast theory, demonstrating time-dependent effects of effort on reward sensitivity.
  • Effort expenditure reduces anticipatory reward sensitivity but enhances consummatory reward sensitivity.