Affective and neural modulation of smart device-related stimuli following a single session of evaluative conditioning

Evaluative conditioning (EC) has shown potential to reduce maladaptive affective biases underlying problematic health-related behaviors. However, there is limited evidence applying EC to smart device-related stimuli. We examined whether EC training can modify affective and neural responses to these stimuli in a proof-of-concept study conducted in a non-clinical sample.

Healthy young participants underwent a single session of either negative or benign EC, during which smart device images served as conditioned stimuli (CSs) and were paired with negative or positive words as unconditioned stimuli (USs). Following EC, participants evaluated real-life news reports featuring positive and negative aspects of smartphone use, technological advances, and general social issues, while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded to examine EC-dependent frontal and temporoparietal alpha asymmetry. CS valence ratings were also assessed.

EC affected CS valence ratings. Negatively conditioned smart CSs were rated more negatively in the negative EC group than in the benign EC group. These group differences were attenuated among individuals reporting greater smartphone withdrawal. In contrast, EC effects were not observed in evaluations of smartphone-related news reports. Notably, however, at the electrophysiological level, reduced leftward temporoparietal activation was observed in the negative EC group compared to the benign EC group across all news reports, possibly reflecting generally heightened emotional arousal.

EC modulated affective responses to smart device cues in a healthy sample, supporting its potential relevance for EC-based interventions targeting problematic smart device use. Effects on complex socioemotional information were limited, warranting further research in clinical samples and with behavioral outcomes.