Perseverative Cognition in the Positive Valence Systems: An Experimental and Ecological Investigation.
Martino Schettino1, Valerio Ghezzi1, Yuen-Siang Ang2
1Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Brain Sciences
|May 5, 2021
Summary
Perseverative cognition (PC) impacts reward processing by increasing learning rates and prediction errors. This suggests PC affects positive valence systems, offering new clinical insights beyond negative mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Computational Psychiatry
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Perseverative cognition (PC) is a transdiagnostic risk factor for hypo- and hyper-motivational disorders.
- Research on PC has predominantly focused on negative valence systems, neglecting its role in positive valence systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of PC on reward processing using a multi-method approach.
- To differentiate the effects of PC on reward sensitivity and learning rate via computational modeling.
- To examine the ecological validity of PC's effects on reward-related behavior in daily life.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory assessment using the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT) before and after PC induction.
- Computational modeling to analyze reward sensitivity and learning rate.
- One-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of daily PC, anticipatory, and consummatory reward behavior.
Main Results:
- PC induction increased response bias on the PRT, primarily driven by an elevated learning rate, not reward sensitivity.
- Ecological momentary assessment revealed that PC amplifies reward prediction errors in daily life.
- Findings indicate PC is linked to altered functioning within positive valence systems.
Conclusions:
- Perseverative cognition influences reward processing, impacting both laboratory tasks and real-world behavior.
- The study highlights the clinical relevance of examining PC's role in positive valence systems for psychopathology.
- Extending research on PC beyond negative valence systems is crucial for understanding its broader clinical implications.
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