The influence of psychopathic trait, reward sensitivity, and punishment sensitivity on impulsivity

AbstractA substantial proportion of youth with anxiety disorders shows comorbid behavioral (anger) problems. Such comorbid profile is associated with low treatment effectiveness and negative (longterm) outcomes. This study was therefore designed to examine trait factors that may promote anger responding in adolescents. By presenting participants (N = 158, mean age = 15.7, 56% female) with a series of common anger-eliciting situations, we tested whether high reward sensitivity would be associated with anger via perceived non-reward, and high punishment sensitivity via perceived threat. In line with the hypotheses, an indirect effect of reward sensitivity on anger was found via perceived non-reward, and an indirect effect of punishment sensitivity on anger via perceived threat. The latter association also had an indirect effect via perceived non-reward. High punishment and reward sensitivity may thus set adolescents at risk for developing (comorbid) anger problems via heightened threat and non-reward perceptions.

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Motivation and Cognitive Abilities as Mediators between Polygenic Scores and Psychopathology in Children

10.1101/2020.06.08.20123877 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Narun Pornpattananangkul ◽

Lucy Riglin ◽

Richard Anney ◽

Yue Wang ◽

Deanna M. Barch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Genetic Liability ◽

G Factor ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Polygenic Scores ◽

Punishment Sensitivity

AbstractA fundamental question in psychology and psychiatry concerns the mechanisms that mediate between genetic liability and psychiatric symptoms. Genetic liability for common psychiatric disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), often confer transdiagnostic risk to develop a wide variety of psychopathological symptoms through yet unknown pathways. Here we examined the three psychological and cognitive pathways that might mediate the relationship between genetic liability and broad psychopathology (as indexed by the P-Factor and its underlying dimensions): punishment sensitivity, reward sensitivity and cognitive abilities. We applied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) dataset (4439 children, 9–10 years old). The association between MDD polygenic scores (PS) and psychopathology was partially mediated by punishment sensitivity (reflected by Behavioral Inhibition System; BIS) and cognitive abilities (reflected by the G-Factor based on 10 neurocognitive tasks): proportion mediated=13.96%. Particularly, this mediating role of punishment sensitivity was specific to the emotional/internalizing dimension of psychopathology. Conversely, the influence of ADHD PS on psychopathology was partially mediated by reward sensitivity (reflected by Behavioral Activation System; BAS) and cognitive abilities (reflected by the G-Factor): proportion mediated=33.19%. This mediating role of reward sensitivity was focusing on the behavioral/externalizing and neurodevelopmental dimensions of psychopathology. These findings may provide a better understanding of how genetic risks for MDD and ADHD confer risk for psychopathology and suggest potential prevention and intervention targets for children at risk.

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Temperamental Sensitivities Differentially Linked With Interest, Strain, and Effort Appraisals

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.551806 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Maria Rawlings ◽

Anna Tapola ◽

Markku Niemivirta

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation Modeling ◽

Secondary Students ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Course Grades ◽

Lower Strain ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

And Performance

The present research examined the connections between temperament (punishment sensitivity; interindividual reward sensitivity; intraindividual reward sensitivity), students’ domain- and course-specific motivational appraisals (interest, strain, effort), and performance, in two studies. Study 1 explored the relationships between temperamental sensitivities, motivational appraisals, and task achievement among secondary students (N = 268) in the domain of mathematics, using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) for the analyses. Study 2 was conducted longitudinally among upper-secondary students (N = 155) during a course in four key school subjects. Subject interest was included alongside the temperamental sensitivities as a predictor of course-specific motivation and course grades, and the data were analysed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Previous achievement was controlled in both studies. The findings showed temperamental sensitivities to be differentially linked with motivational appraisals. Punishment sensitivity in Study 1, and interindividual reward sensitivity (sensitivity to reward dependent on others’ approval or attention) in Study 2 were found to have an effect on psychological strain. In both studies, interest and effort were predicted by intraindividual reward sensitivity (positive responsiveness to novelty and own successes). In Study 2, subject interest was a consistent predictor of higher course interest and lower strain. In both studies, connections were found between strain and lower performance. The findings suggest individual characteristics may predispose students to certain motivational experiences, and contribute to educational outcomes, in both domain and course contexts and across subject content.

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Temperamental Sensitivities Differentially Linked with Interest, Strain, and Effort Appraisals

10.31234/osf.io/24wc5 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Maria Rawlings ◽

Anna Tapola ◽

Markku Niemivirta

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation Modeling ◽

Secondary Students ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Course Grades ◽

Lower Strain ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

And Performance

The present research examined the connections between temperament (punishment sensitivity; interindividual reward sensitivity; intraindividual reward sensitivity), students’ domain- and course-specific motivational appraisals (interest, strain, effort), and performance, in two studies. Study 1 explored the relationships between temperamental sensitivities, motivational appraisals, and task achievement among secondary students (N = 268) in the domain of mathematics, using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) for the analyses. Study 2 was conducted longitudinally among upper-secondary students (N = 155) during a course in four key school subjects. Subject interest was included alongside the temperamental sensitivities as a predictor of course-specific motivation and course grades, and the data were analysed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Previous achievement was controlled in both studies.The findings showed temperamental sensitivities to be differentially linked with motivational appraisals. Punishment sensitivity in Study 1, and interindividual reward sensitivity (sensitivity to reward dependent on others’ approval or attention) in Study 2 were found to have an effect on psychological strain. In both studies, interest and effort were predicted by intraindividual reward sensitivity (positive responsiveness to novelty and own successes). In Study 2, subject interest was a consistent predictor of higher course interest and lower strain. In both studies, connections were found between strain and lower performance. The findings suggest individual characteristics may predispose students to certain motivational experiences, and contribute to educational outcomes, in both domain and course contexts and across subject content.

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Early change in reward and punishment sensitivity as a predictor of response to antidepressant treatment for major depressive disorder: a CAN-BIND-1 report

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718002441 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (10) ◽

pp. 1629-1638 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Timothy A. Allen ◽

Raymond W. Lam ◽

Roumen Milev ◽

Sakina J. Rizvi ◽

Benicio N. Frey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Reward Processing ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Early Change ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

Reward And Punishment

AbstractBackgroundIn an effort to optimize patient outcomes, considerable attention is being devoted to identifying patient characteristics associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and its responsiveness to treatment. In the current study, we extend this work by evaluating whether early change in these sensitivities is associated with response to antidepressant treatment for MDD.MethodsParticipants included 210 patients with MDD who were treated with 8 weeks of escitalopram and 112 healthy comparison participants. Of the original 210 patients, 90 non-responders received adjunctive aripiprazole for an additional 8 weeks. Symptoms of depression and anhedonia were assessed at the beginning of treatment and 8 weeks later in both samples. Reward and punishment sensitivity were assessed using the BIS/BAS scales measured at the initiation of treatment and 2 weeks later.ResultsIndividuals with MDD exhibited higher punishment sensitivity and lower reward sensitivity compared with healthy comparison participants. Change in reward sensitivity during the first 2 weeks of treatment was associated with improved depressive symptoms and anhedonia following 8 weeks of treatment with escitalopram. Similarly, improvement in reward responsiveness during the first 2 weeks of adjunctive therapy with aripiprazole was associated with fewer symptoms of depression at post-treatment.ConclusionsFindings highlight the predictive utility of early change in reward sensitivity during antidepressant treatment for major depression. In a clinical setting, a lack of change in early reward processing may signal a need to modify a patient's treatment plan with alternative or augmented treatment approaches.

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Motivational pathways from reward sensitivity and punishment sensitivity to gambling frequency and gambling-related problems.

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1037/adb0000066 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 1022-1030 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jeffrey D. Wardell ◽

Lena C. Quilty ◽

Christian S. Hendershot ◽

R. Michael Bagby

Keyword(s):

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

Gambling Frequency

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Why Dieters Succeed or Fail: The Relationship Between Reward and Punishment Sensitivity and Restrained Eating and Dieting Success

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.636432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Nienke C. Jonker ◽

Elise C. Bennik ◽

Peter J. de Jong

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Executive Control ◽

Food Restriction ◽

Female Student ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Restrained Eating ◽

Behavioral Task ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Do So

BackgroundThe current study set out to improve our understanding of the characteristics of individuals who are motivated to restrict their food intake yet who nevertheless fail to do so. We examined whether punishment sensitivity (PS) was related to restrained eating, and reward sensitivity (RS) to perceived dieting success. Additionally, it was examined whether executive control (EC) moderates the association between RS and perceived dieting success.MethodsFemale student participants (N = 290, aged 17–29, BMI between 18.5 and 38.0) completed questionnaires on restrained eating, perceived dieting success, RS and PS, and carried out a behavioral task to index EC.ResultsPS was indeed positively related to restrained eating. RS was positively related to perceived dieting success, yet, EC did not moderate this association.ConclusionThe current study adds to the evidence that PS is related to individuals’ motivation to restrict their food intake. Furthermore, it shows support for the suggestion that RS may facilitate food restriction.

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Learning in anticipation of reward and punishment: Perspectives across the human lifespan

10.1101/738211 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew J. Betts ◽

Anni Richter ◽

Lieke de Boer ◽

Jana Tegelbeckers ◽

Valentina Perosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Peak Performance ◽

Reward Seeking ◽

Human Lifespan ◽

Learning Capabilities ◽

Punishment Sensitivity ◽

Rewards And Punishment

AbstractPavlovian biases influence the interaction between action and valence by coupling reward seeking to action invigoration and punishment avoidance to action suppression. In this study we used an orthogonalised go/no-go task to investigate learning in 247 individuals across the human lifespan (7-80 years) to demonstrate that all participants, independently of age, demonstrated an influence of Pavlovian control. Computational modeling revealed peak performance in young adults was attributable to greater sensitivity to both rewards and punishment. However in children and adolescents an increased bias towards action but not reward sensitivity was observed. In contrast, reduced learning in midlife and older adults was accompanied with decreased reward sensitivity and especially punishment sensitivity. These findings reveal distinct learning capabilities across the human lifespan that cannot be probed using conventional go/reward no-go/punishment style paradigms that have important implications in life-long education.

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