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The reward positivity is insensitive to reinforcer devaluation
Lindsay S Shaffer1,2, Holly D Crowder1, Peter A Kakalec1
1Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA, 22030.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|April 16, 2025
Summary
The reward positivity (RewP) brain signal does not change when food reward value decreases due to satiety. This suggests the RewP is not sensitive to motivational state changes influencing reward perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Decision Science
Background:
- Behavioral adaptation relies on assessing reward outcomes relative to internal states.
- The reward positivity (RewP) is an electrophysiological marker linked to reward value and motivation.
- It remains unclear if RewP reflects changes in reward value modulated by motivational states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether changes in the RewP are influenced by alterations in reward value as a function of motivational state.
- To examine the sensitivity of RewP to sensory-specific satiety-induced devaluation of food rewards.
Main Methods:
- Participants (n=31) underwent Pavlovian conditioning with sweet and savory food reinforcers during EEG recording.
- A reinforcer devaluation task (sensory-specific satiety) was employed by feeding participants one food to satiety.
- Behavioral choices (win-stay/lose-switch) and electrophysiological data (RewP) were analyzed before and after devaluation.
Main Results:
- Participants exhibited sensory-specific devaluation, rating the satiated food as less pleasant.
- Behavioral data showed adjustments in food preferences post-devaluation, indicating inference-based behavior.
- No significant differences in RewP amplitudes were found before and after reinforcer devaluation.
Conclusions:
- The reward positivity (RewP) appears insensitive to inferred changes in reward value driven by motivational state (satiety).
- Affective and motivational factors, specifically tracking decreases in reward value, do not modulate the RewP.
- These findings challenge the role of RewP as a direct indicator of motivational state-dependent reward valuation.
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