Monetary reward enhances response inhibition processes manifested in No-go P3

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Decision Making

Background:

• The Go/No-go task is a standard paradigm for assessing response inhibition.
• Motivational factors, such as monetary rewards, can influence cognitive control.
• Individual differences in personality, particularly the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral approach system (BAS), may modulate neural responses during inhibitory control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of motivational valence (monetary rewards) on No-go P3 and N2 event-related potentials.
• To examine the influence of personality traits (BIS/BAS) on No-go N2 and No-go P3 amplitudes.
• To determine if monetary rewards enhance motor inhibition control.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight participants completed a Go/No-go task under two conditions: reward and neutral.
• In the reward condition, correct rejections of No-go stimuli were associated with monetary gains.
• Behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral approach system (BAS) scores were assessed using validated scales.

Main Results:

• The error rate was significantly lower in the reward condition compared to the neutral condition, indicating enhanced motor inhibition.
• No-go P3 amplitude was larger for correct rejections in the reward condition than in the neutral condition.
• No significant difference in No-go N2 amplitudes was observed between the reward and neutral conditions, but higher BIS scores were associated with larger No-go N2 amplitudes in the neutral condition.

Conclusions:

• Monetary rewards appear to enhance motor inhibition control, as evidenced by reduced error rates and altered P3 amplitudes.
• No-go N2 amplitude seems to be modulated by avoidance motivation, particularly in individuals with higher BIS responsiveness.
• Individual differences in BIS/BAS may play a role in the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control.