Effects of information and reward on stimulus-preceding negativity prior to feedback stimuli

Psychophysiology. 2003 Sep;40(5):818-26. doi: 10.1111/1469-8986.00082.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of informational and motivational level of feedback stimuli on the stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN). In the time estimation task, in which a visual stimulus was presented 3 s after a voluntary movement, (a) the information level (high information and low information) and (b) the motivation level (reward and no-reward) for feedback stimuli were manipulated. Under the high-information condition, subjects received feedback information about (1) correctness (correct or incorrect), (2) direction of error (under- or overestimate), and (3) degree of accuracy (accurate or less accurate) of their time estimation. In the low-information condition, however, they received information about the correctness only. In the reward condition, they received a monetary reward for accurate time estimations but received nothing in the no-reward condition. The results demonstrated a significant interaction of information by motivation level, showing that the SPN amplitude under the reward/high-information was larger than that in the no-reward/high-information condition. The results are discussed in terms of emotional anticipation, taking into consideration the result of self-report that subjects felt to be more motivated when they received precise information.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electromyography
  • Electrooculography
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Feedback / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Processes / physiology*
  • Motivation
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reward*
  • Time Perception / physiology