The Effects of Repeated Finger Flexion Movements on Self-Reported Affect and Reward System Activation Are Weak and...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Recent research questions the reliability of using body movements to activate motivational systems, such as approach-reward.
• The link between physical actions and motivational states requires further empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the effect of a repeated flexion movement task on approach-reward system activation.
• To examine the impact of flexion movements on positive and negative affect.
• To assess the influence of flexion movements on persistence in challenging tasks.

Main Methods:

• Two pre-registered studies were conducted: a direct replication and a conceptual replication.
• Participants were randomly assigned to either a repeated flexion movement condition or an active control condition.
• Measures included approach-reward activation, positive and negative affect, and persistence on a laboratory task.

Main Results:

• Study 1 found greater positive affect in the flexion group, but no differences in approach-reward activation or persistence.
• Study 2 found greater approach-reward activation in the flexion group, but no differences in affect or persistence.
• Overall, effects of repeated flexion movements were inconsistent and weak across both studies.

Conclusions:

• The effects of repeated flexion movements on motivational systems, affect, and persistence are inconsistent and weak.
• The findings suggest that using body movements to activate approach-reward systems may not be robust.
• The study highlights the risk of cherry-picking positive findings, leading to a biased empirical literature.