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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans

Published on: March 19, 2014

Neural dynamics of effort-modulated reward processing.

Mang Zhang¹, Ya Zheng¹

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

Psychophysiology

|April 13, 2022

Summary

Effort can decrease or increase reward value, known as the effort paradox. This study reveals how brain activity changes across different phases of effort to modulate reward processing.

Keywords:

CNV ERPs P3 SPN effort paradox reward processing

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Decision Science

Background:

The effort paradox describes how expending effort can either devalue or enhance reward.
Understanding the neural mechanisms behind effort-based decision-making is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural dynamics of reward processing modulated by effort expenditure using event-related potentials.
To explore the temporal unfolding of the effort-reward relationship.

Main Methods:

Thirty-two participants performed a modified monetary incentive delay task under high- and low-effort conditions.
Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record brain activity during anticipation, exertion, and completion phases of effort.

Main Results:

During anticipation, high effort reduced reward value (contingent negative variation).
During exertion, effort expenditure enhanced the reward effect (target-P3).
After completion, high effort added value (stimulus-preceding negativity).

Conclusions:

The effort-reward relationship is dynamic and unfolds across distinct temporal phases.
Neural activity patterns during effort anticipation, exertion, and completion differentially modulate reward perception.
Findings offer insights into mitigating the effort paradox by understanding its neural underpinnings.