Flavor Fatigue: Cognitive Depletion Influences Consumer Enjoyment of Complex Flavors

Controlling an inappropriate response tendency in the face of a reward-predicting stimulus likely depends on the strength of the reward-driven activation, the strength of a putative top–down control process, and their relative timing. We developed a rewarded go/no-go paradigm to investigate such dynamics. Participants made rapid responses (on go trials) to high versus low reward-predicting stimuli and sometimes had to withhold responding (on no-go trials) in the face of the same stimuli. Behaviorally, for high versus low reward stimuli, responses were faster on go trials, and there were more errors of commission on no-go trials. We used single-pulse TMS to map out the corticospinal excitability dynamics, especially on no-go trials where control is needed. For successful no-go trials, there was an early rise in motor activation that was then sharply reduced beneath baseline. This activation–reduction pattern was more pronounced for high- versus low-reward trials and in individuals with greater motivational drive for reward. A follow-on experiment showed that, when participants were fatigued by an effortful task, they made more errors on no-go trials for high versus low reward stimuli. Together, these studies show that, when a response is inappropriate, reward-predicting stimuli induce early motor activation, followed by a top–down effortful control process (which we interpret as response suppression) that depends on the strength of the preceding activation. Our findings provide novel information about the activation–suppression dynamics during control over reward-driven actions, and they illustrate how fatigue or depletion leads to control failures in the face of reward.

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Does Cognitive Depletion Shape Bias Detection for Minority Group Members?

Social Cognition ◽

10.1521/soco.2015.33.3.241 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 241-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Evelyn R. Carter ◽

Destiny Peery ◽

Jennifer A. Richeson ◽

Mary C. Murphy

Keyword(s):

Minority Group ◽

Shape Bias ◽

Group Members ◽

Cognitive Depletion ◽

Bias Detection

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Implicit Motivation to Control Prejudice Moderates the Effect of Cognitive Depletion on Unintended Discrimination

Social Cognition ◽

10.1521/soco.2008.26.4.401 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 401-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Sang Hee Park ◽

Jack Glaser ◽

Eric D. Knowles

Keyword(s):

Implicit Motivation ◽

Cognitive Depletion

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Self-Regulatory Strength Depletion and Muscle-Endurance Performance: A Test of the Limited-Strength Model in Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.19.3.177 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 177-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Steven R. Bray ◽

Kathleen A. Martin Ginis ◽

Jennifer Woodgate

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Endurance Performance ◽

Muscle Endurance ◽

Control Group ◽

Strength Model ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Performance Tasks ◽

Cognitive Depletion ◽

Aging Muscle

Self-regulation consumes a form of strength or energy. The authors investigated aftereffects of self-regulation depletion on muscle-endurance performance in older adults. Participants (N= 61, mean age = 71) were randomized to a self-regulation-depletion or control group and completed 2 muscle-endurance performance tasks involving isometric handgrip squeezing that were separated by a cognitive-depletion task. The depletion group showed greater deterioration of muscle-endurance performance than controls,F(1, 59) = 7.31,p= .009. Results are comparable to those of younger adults in a similar study and support Baumeister et al.’s limited-strength model. Self-regulation may contribute to central-nervous-system fatigue; however, biological processes may allow aging muscle to offset depletion of self-regulatory resources affecting muscle-endurance performance.

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Does Relationship End Precede Cognitive Decline? An Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 282-282

Author(s):

Douglas Hanes ◽

Sean Clouston

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Distributed Cognition ◽

Daily Living ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Health And Retirement Study ◽

Relationship Termination ◽

Cognitive Depletion ◽

Using Data ◽

Mental And Physical Health ◽

Retirement Study

Abstract Relationship status is thought to be associated with cognitive health in older adults, with married persons performing better on memory assessments than unmarried-cohabitating, single, divorced, and widowed persons. However, questions remain about whether relationship termination causes cognitive decline, is a result of it, or whether they share a cause; and the mechanisms by which such a relationship might operate. To address this gap in the literature, we hypothesized that relationship termination could affect cognition via the following five pathways: (1) post-termination depression; (2) loss of distributed-cognition partner; (3) cognitive depletion from caring for partner in declining and ultimately terminal health; (4) divorce to preserve assets to qualify for Medicaid to cover healthcare for cognitive decline; and (5) post-termination changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms alongside a pre-existing neurodegenerative condition that also causes cognitive decline. Using data from the 2000–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 23,393), we found that relationship termination, whether due to divorce or widowhood, was associated with cognitive decline. Using mixed-effects regression we found that the rate of cognitive decline increased after relationship termination (widowhood: □ = -0.587, p <0.001; divorce: □ = -0.221, p <0.001), supporting mechanism (5). Using HRS data for respondents and their spouses’ mental and physical health, health insurance, and activities of daily living, we also find support for mechanisms (1) and (3). Relationship termination is a critical juncture in a person’s life course that has multiple implications and may, ultimately, worsen patients’ conditions.

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