Objective and subjective measure of reward sensitivity
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Akina Umemoto
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
Description
Individual sensitivity to reward has been commonly studied using electroencephalography (EEG). Known as reward positivity (RewP), this EEG marker of reward sensitivity has been produced when individuals receive reward feedback. Little is known about whether this marker is associated with subjective feeling of reward. To test this question the current study measured RewP when individuals received three types of reward: money, snacks, and abstract points. Throughout the experiment participants were asked to report how much they wanted each reward as well as how much they liked each reward after receiving it. We analyzed an existing data set, where 46 healthy university students performed a standard reward task, called the Monetary Incentive Delay task. At the beginning of each block, participants answered a question about how much they wanted a reward. Every several trials participants also answered how much they liked each feedback. Results showed participants wanted and liked the money reward the most, followed by the snack reward, then the points reward. Participants also showed the fastest reaction time and the highest accuracy for the money, followed by the snack, and the points reward. The RewP showed a similar trend of results, however, they were not statistically significant. Additionally, there was no correlation between subjective feeling and RewP amplitude. Although participants showed different levels of reward sensitivity to different types of rewards, the EEG marker of reward sensitivity did not reflect subjective reports of reward. Future research should include a larger sample size and a larger magnitude of reward.
Objective and subjective measure of reward sensitivity
Individual sensitivity to reward has been commonly studied using electroencephalography (EEG). Known as reward positivity (RewP), this EEG marker of reward sensitivity has been produced when individuals receive reward feedback. Little is known about whether this marker is associated with subjective feeling of reward. To test this question the current study measured RewP when individuals received three types of reward: money, snacks, and abstract points. Throughout the experiment participants were asked to report how much they wanted each reward as well as how much they liked each reward after receiving it. We analyzed an existing data set, where 46 healthy university students performed a standard reward task, called the Monetary Incentive Delay task. At the beginning of each block, participants answered a question about how much they wanted a reward. Every several trials participants also answered how much they liked each feedback. Results showed participants wanted and liked the money reward the most, followed by the snack reward, then the points reward. Participants also showed the fastest reaction time and the highest accuracy for the money, followed by the snack, and the points reward. The RewP showed a similar trend of results, however, they were not statistically significant. Additionally, there was no correlation between subjective feeling and RewP amplitude. Although participants showed different levels of reward sensitivity to different types of rewards, the EEG marker of reward sensitivity did not reflect subjective reports of reward. Future research should include a larger sample size and a larger magnitude of reward.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.