scholarly journals Midfrontal theta and pupil dilation parametrically track subjective conflict (but also surprise) during intertemporal choice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hause Lin ◽  
Blair Saunders ◽  
Cendri Hutcherson ◽  
Michael Inzlicht
Keyword(s):  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Pupil Dilation ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Adaptive Shifts ◽  
Neurophysiological Basis ◽  
Different Levels

Many everyday choices are based on personal, subjective preferences. When choosing between two options, we often feel conflicted, especially when trading off costs and benefits occurring at different times (e.g., saving for later versus spending now). Although previous work has investigated the neurophysiological basis of conflict during inhibitory control tasks, less is known about subjective conflict resulting from competing subjective preferences. In this pre-registered study, we investigated subjective conflict during intertemporal choice, whereby participants chose between smaller immediate versus larger delayed rewards (e.g., $15 today vs. $22 in 30 days). We used economic modeling to parametrically vary eleven different levels of conflict, and recorded EEG data and pupil dilation. Midfrontal theta power, derived from EEG, correlated with pupil responses, and our results suggest that these signals track different gradations of subjective conflict. Unexpectedly, both signals were also maximally enhanced when decisions were surprisingly easy. Therefore, these signals may track events requiring increased attention and adaptive shifts in behavioral responses, with subjective conflict being only one type of such event. Our results suggest that the neural systems underlying midfrontal theta and pupil responses interact when weighing costs and benefits during intertemporal choice. Thus, understanding these interactions might elucidate how individuals resolve self-control conflicts.

scholarly journals Midfrontal theta and pupil dilation parametrically track subjective conflict (but also surprise) during intertemporal choice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hause Lin ◽  
Blair Saunders ◽  
Cendri A Hutcherson ◽  
Michael Inzlicht
Keyword(s):  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Pupil Dilation ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
List Type ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Adaptive Shifts ◽  
Neurophysiological Basis

AbstractMany everyday choices are based on personal, subjective preferences. When choosing between two options, we often feel conflicted, especially when trading off costs and benefits occurring at different times (e.g., saving for later versus spending now). Although previous work has investigated the neurophysiological basis of conflict during inhibitory control tasks, less is known about subjective conflict resulting from competing subjective preferences. In this pre-registered study, we investigated subjective conflict during intertemporal choice, whereby participants chose between smaller immediate versus larger delayed rewards (e.g., $15 today vs. $22 in 30 days). We used economic modeling to parametrically vary eleven different levels of conflict, and recorded EEG data and pupil dilation. Midfrontal theta power, derived from EEG, correlated with pupil responses, and our results suggest that these signals track different gradations of subjective conflict. Unexpectedly, both signals were also maximally enhanced when decisions were surprisingly easy. Therefore, these signals may track events requiring increased attention and adaptive shifts in behavioral responses, with subjective conflict being only one type of such event. Our results suggest that the neural systems underlying midfrontal theta and pupil responses interact when weighing costs and benefits during intertemporal choice. Thus, understanding these interactions might elucidate how individuals resolve self-control conflicts.HighlightsModeled conflict during intertemporal choice and measured EEG and pupil responses.Midfrontal theta and pupil responses parametrically tracked subjective conflict.But theta and pupil responses were also large when decisions were surprisingly easy.These signals may implement adaptive control during value-guided choice.

Goal Relevance and Desirability of Virtuous Behavior in Satisfying Affiliative and Pathogen Avoidance Needs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitch Brown
Keyword(s):  
Group Living ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
Fundamental Nature ◽  
Virtuous Behavior ◽  
Goal Relevance ◽  
Effective Group ◽  
Pathogen Avoidance

Recent findings suggest that behavioral repertoires frequently conceptualized as virtuous possess a fundamental nature that implicates virtues as highly desirable in facilitating group living through factors of caring, self-control, and inquisitiveness. Although much of this desirability has previously demonstrated in mating domains, it could be possible their benefits extend to affiliative and pathogen-avoidant domains. Two studies (N=285) sought to determine the potential costs and benefits of associating with virtuous individuals (Study 1) and how these affordances could shape subsequent interpersonal preferences (Study 2). In Study 1, participants inferred a caring behavioral repertoire as particularly effective at facilitating both affiliative and pathogen-avoidant goals, whereas inquisitiveness was perceived as threatening to pathogen-avoidant goals. Study 2 provides evidence dispositionally heightened affiliative interests heightened preferences for caring, but pathogen-avoidant motives did not influence preferences. I frame results from an evolutionary perspective and synthesize it with recent findings demonstrating how virtue shapes effective group living.

Exploring IT Opportunities

2012 ◽  
pp. 349-365
Author(s):  
Ronald Batenburg ◽  
Johan Versendaal ◽  
Elly Breedveld
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Management ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Pilot Projects ◽  
Dutch Policy ◽  
Independent Functioning ◽  
Different Levels

There is a growing belief that IT can improve public management in general. The Dutch policy and services with regard to the elderly are no exception. Obviously, IT opportunities in the healthcare domain play a central role in this, since the main objective of policies is to sustain the independent functioning of the elderly in everyday social life. In this research four IT opportunities for elderly policy in The Netherlands are explored through discussion meetings with elderly, and consultation of experts in the field of elderly policy and services. The IT opportunities are designed to align the different levels of motivation and skills of elderly to use IT. Four IT pilot projects are defined, which take into account the costs and benefits of these opportunities to improve the elderly policy chain in The Netherlands.

Examining the Effect of Ineffective Parenting and Low Self-Control on Athletes’ PED Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-447
Author(s):  
Saeed Kabiri ◽  
Seyyedeh Masoomeh (Shamila) Shadmanfaat ◽  
Christopher M. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Professional Sports ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
General Theory Of Crime ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Theory Of Crime ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Low Self Control ◽  
Different Levels

The prevalence of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use at different levels of professional sport has become an important social issue, particularly when considering recent high-profile incidents from professional sports and the Olympics. Due to the myriad of individual, team, and sociopolitical consequences that can stem from PED use, it becomes critical to study the etiology of PED involvement among athletes regarding this deviant behavior. Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime is one such theory that may aid in explaining this phenomenon. As such, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between effective parenting, self-control, and athletes’ use of banned PEDs. Survey data from 784 professional athletes in Iran were collected, and the findings indicated that ineffective parenting, low self-control capacity, and self-control desire had significant effects on PED use. In addition, moderation effects and gender analyses were examined. Specific findings, policy implications, and study limitations are discussed.

scholarly journals Poor ability to resist tempting calorie rich food is linked to altered balance between neural systems involved in urge and self-control

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinghua He ◽  
Lin Xiao ◽  
Gui Xue ◽  
Savio Wong ◽  
Susan L Ames ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Control ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Rich Food

scholarly journals Increased Capacity to Delay Reward in Anorexia Nervosa

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna E. Steinglass ◽  
Bernd Figner ◽  
Staci Berkowitz ◽  
H. Blair Simpson ◽  
Elke U. Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Food Restriction ◽  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Temporal Discounting ◽  
Choice Task ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Neuropsychological Characteristics ◽  
Secondary Analyses

AbstractIndividuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) are often characterized as possessing excessive self-control and are unusual in their ability to reduce or avoid the consumption of palatable foods. This behavior promotes potentially life-threatening weight loss and suggests disturbances in reward processing. We studied whether individuals with AN showed evidence of increased self-control by examining the tendency to delay receipt of a monetary, non-food related, reward. Underweight AN (n = 36) and healthy controls (HC, n = 28) completed a monetary intertemporal choice task measuring delay discounting factor. Individuals with AN reduced the value of a monetary reward over time significantly less than HC (F[1,61] = 5.03; p = 0.029). Secondary analyses indicated that the restricting subtype of AN, in particular, showed significantly less discounting than HC (F[1,46] = 8.3; p = 0.006). These findings indicate that some individuals with AN show less temporal discounting than HC, suggestive of enhanced self-control that is not limited to food consumption. This is in contrast to other psychiatric disorders, for example, substance abuse, which are characterized by greater discounting. Though preliminary, these findings suggest that excessive self-control may contribute to pathological processes and individuals with AN may have neuropsychological characteristics that enhance their ability to delay reward and thereby may help to maintain persistent food restriction. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–8)

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