Information and reward in voluntary heart rate control

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

• Voluntary control of physiological processes like heart rate (HR) is a key area in behavioral research.
• Understanding the factors influencing HR regulation, such as feedback, instructions, and incentives, is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of monetary incentives and specific instructions on voluntary heart rate control.
• To examine whether these factors differentially affect HR acceleration versus deceleration.
• To assess the role of exteroceptive feedback as a potential reinforcer in HR regulation.

Main Methods:

• Two studies involving 12 male undergraduates performing HR regulation tasks over seven sessions.
• Within-subject design systematically varying the presence/absence of instructions and monetary incentives.
• Utilized binary visual feedback signals (positive for acceleration, negative for deceleration).

Main Results:

• Monetary incentives and instructions significantly enhanced HR acceleration.
• These factors did not show a significant effect on HR deceleration.
• Minimal HR control was observed in conditions lacking both instructions and incentives.

Conclusions:

• Instructions and monetary incentives are effective facilitators for voluntary HR acceleration.
• Exteroceptive feedback alone may not function as a reinforcer for HR control behavior.
• Findings offer partial support for Estes' interpretation of information and reward in voluntary HR control.