Expectation of reward differentially modulates executive inhibition

Abstract

Background Inhibitory control, a key modulatory component of cognition guiding strategy and behaviour, can be affected by diverse contingencies. We explore here the effect of expectation of reward over behavioural adjustment in a Stop Signal Task modulated by reward. We hypothesize that cognitive control is modulated by different expectation of the reward. Methods Participants were allocated to two groups differing in their degree of knowledge in what to expect from rewards. Expected Specific Reward participants ( N = 21) were informed of the different monetary feedbacks they would receive after each successful inhibition. Unexpected Reward participants ( N = 24) were only told that they would receive monetary reward after correct inhibitory trials, but not the amounts or differences. Results Our results confirmed previous observations demonstrating a “kick-start effect” where a high reward feedback at the beginning of the task increases response inhibition. The Expected Specific Reward condition seems also to improve inhibitory control -as measured by the stop signal reaction time (SSRT)-, compared to the Unexpected Reward group. Conclusions Knowledge of reward magnitudes seems to play a role in cognitive control irrespective of feedback magnitude. The manipulation of reward expectation appears to trigger different strategies for cognitive control, inducing a bottom-up effect of external cues, or a top-down effect given by the anticipation of incoming rewards. This is an early exploration to unearth possible higher order modulators - expectation and motivation- of cognitive control. This approach aims to gain insight into diverse psychopathological conditions related to impulsivity and altered reward systems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), personality disorders, substance abuse, pathological gambling and cognitive aspects of Parkinson Disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40359-019-0332-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reward prospect improves inhibitory control in female university students with a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse

“…In healthy adults, being able to anticipate reward improves cognitive control and goal-directed behavior (Braver et al, 2014). This effect holds across different cognitive control functions including response inhibition (Herrera et al, 2019), conflict resolution (Krebs, Boehler, & Woldorff, 2010;Padmala & Pessoa, 2011), as well as working memory (Jimura, Locke, & Braver, 2010;Locke & Braver, 2008). One commonly used conflict resolution task is the Stroop task, in which participants have to name the ink color of a color word, while ignoring its semantic meaning (e.g., the word red printed in blue font) (Stroop, 1935).…”

Can placebo and nocebo affect post‐exercise executive function?

“…Manipulations of reward expectations appeared to trigger different cognitive control strategies, which may explain the placebo and nocebo effects on inhibition (Herrera, Van Meerbeke, Speranza et al, 2019). Jager, Dam, Van Der Mierden et al (2020) found that expectations of negative feedback reduced cognitive flexibility, which may account for the nocebo effect on shifting function.…”

“…Manipulations of reward expectations appeared to trigger different cognitive control strategies, which may explain the placebo and nocebo effects on inhibition (Herrera, Van Meerbeke, Speranza et al ., 2019). Jager, Dam, Van Der Mierden et al .…”

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“…Yet, the degree to which proactive inhibitory control mechanisms are modulated by motivational factors (e.g., reward, punishment) remains poorly understood. Recent behavioral studies have shown that reward motivation can improve inhibitory control processes (Chiew and Braver, 2014 ; Herrera et al, 2014 , 2019 ; Giuffrida et al, 2023 ), and, in line with modulation of proactive inhibitory control, reward incentives can enhance transient neural responses of early attention to go stimuli prior to inhibitory cues (Schevernels et al, 2015 ; Langford et al, 2016 ). However, these studies did not examine the impact of motivation on the predictive neurocognitive processes supporting inhibitory performance.…”