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Related Concept Videos

Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance01:14

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Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the...
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Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
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Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
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On-task errors drive effort avoidance more than opportunity costs.

Jake R Embrey1, Alice Mason2, Chris Donkin3

  • 1Booth School of Business, University of Chicago.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|April 15, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Opportunity cost theories suggest mental effort signals task value, guiding us to more rewarding activities. However, this study found little evidence that alternative task value influences cognitive effort or performance during demanding tasks.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Decision Science

Background:

  • Cognitive effort is often avoided, leading to task disengagement.
  • Opportunity cost theories propose mental effort acts as an adaptive signal, directing resources toward valuable tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if the value of alternative tasks influences subjective experience and performance during demanding cognitive tasks.
  • To evaluate the predictions of opportunity cost theories of mental effort.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments were conducted, manipulating the extrinsic (monetary) and intrinsic (enjoyment) value of alternative tasks.
  • Participants' subjective ratings (effort, boredom) and objective performance (response times, accuracy) on a primary task were measured.

Main Results:

  • No significant effect of alternative task extrinsic value on primary task ratings or behavior was observed.
  • While intrinsic value of alternatives affected subjective effort and boredom, it did not correspondingly alter task performance (accuracy, response times).

Conclusions:

  • The findings provide limited support for opportunity cost theories of mental effort.
  • Alternative models, such as error aversion, may better explain cognitive effort regulation.