Social Feedback Valence Differentially Modulates the Reward Positivity, P300, and Late Positive Potential

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Abnormal social and reward processing are linked to mental health disorders.
• Previous research primarily focused on monetary rewards and binary social feedback (acceptance/rejection).
• Social evaluations are often nuanced, including neutral or 'on the fence' feedback, which requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neural responses (RewP, P300, LPP) to acceptance, rejection, and 'on the fence' social feedback.
• To explore the relationship between rejection sensitivity and neural processing of social feedback.
• To understand the neural mechanisms underlying the processing of ambiguous social evaluations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to measure event-related potentials (ERPs) in undergraduate students (n=45).
• Presented participants with acceptance, rejection, and 'on the fence' social feedback.
• Administered self-report measures of rejection sensitivity.

Main Results:

• The reward positivity (RewP) was most positive for acceptance, followed by rejection, and then 'on the fence' feedback.
• P300 amplitudes were highest for acceptance, with no difference between rejection and 'on the fence' feedback.
• Late Positive Potential (LPP) was reduced for rejection compared to acceptance and 'on the fence' feedback.
• Higher rejection sensitivity was associated with a blunted LPP to acceptance feedback.

Conclusions:

• Neural systems (RewP, P300, LPP) differentially process varying valences of social feedback, including ambiguous 'on the fence' evaluations.
• Individuals with high rejection sensitivity may show diminished attention and processing of social acceptance.
• These findings contribute to understanding the neural basis of social evaluation and its relation to psychological factors.