Exploring approach motivation: Correlating self-report, frontal asymmetry, and performance in the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task

Abstract

Frontal EEG asymmetry has been investigated as a physiological metric of approach motivation, with higher left frontal activity (LFA) suggested to reflect approach motivation. However, correlations between LFA and traditional metrics of approach motivation (e.g., scores from the behavioral inhibition system/behavioral approach system [BIS/BAS] survey) are inconsistent. It is also not clear how LFA correlates to approach motivation on an observable, behavioral level. Here, we tested correlations between BIS/BAS scores, LFA, and performance in the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT). In our sample (n = 49), BIS/BAS results did not correlate to LFA values (resting or task states), and were also unrelated to EEfRT performance variables. We found evidence of significant and distinct correlations between LFA and EEfRT performance. Resting-state LFA positively correlated to effort expenditure on lower utility trials, where reward size and/or probability were suboptimal. Task-onset LFA captured in the first 5 min of the task was related to overall behavioral performance in the EEfRT. High task-onset LFA correlated to high trial completion rates, high-effort trial selection percentages, and overall monetary earnings. One interpretation of these initial findings is that resting-state LFA reflects approach tendencies to expend effort, but that this extends to suboptimal situations, whereas task-state LFA better reflects effortful approach toward high-utility goals. Given the relatively small sample size and the risk of Type I/II errors, we present the study as exploratory and the results as preliminary. However, the findings highlight interesting initial links between LFA and EEfRT performance. The need for larger replication studies is discussed.

Examining the reliability and validity of two versions of the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT)

“…Overall, these findings raise further questions about the existence and magnitude of such links, supporting studies not replicating them [22,25,26]. In particular, some correlations in previous work as well as Study 1 may have been overestimated due to random sampling error.…”

“…parents and their children that symptoms of psychopathology correlated with reduced effort allocation within the EEfRT. The EEfRT has also gained evidence on a neurophysiological level, as it has been shown to be related to left-frontal cortical asymmetry in the resting state as well as during task performance [26,40], which is believed to be a neural signature of approach motivation. Moreover, Huang et al [41] found that the percentage of hard-task-choices was directly linked to the activity of the NAcc, which is a key structure of the human reward circuit, in both patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants.…”

“…Recently, these findings were replicated using a modified version of the EEfRT, showing that trait extraversion and trait BAS correlated positively with the mean number of clicks participants exerted in trials with a low probability of reward attainment [24]. However, Horan et al [22], Anand et al [25], as well as Kaack et al [26] were not able to replicate these correlations using the original EEfRT, raising questions about the existence and magnitude of such associations.…”

Not Everyone Chooses Profit (If It Is too Tiring): What Behavioral and EEG Data Tell Us

“…Additionally, the EEG proves useful for providing insights into the brain's electrical activity, and allows the evaluation of the potential load and mental effort needed for decision-making processes, through the analysis of the functional meaning of the different frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, and beta band) [16,22]. Indeed, changes in the theta band could be associated with cognitive control and the monitoring of one's actions [23], as well as in the processing of emotional responses [24].…”

Grit Perseverance, Not Passion, Moderates the Association Between Behavioral Inhibition/Approach System and Internet Addiction in Adolescents

“… 42 However, self-control and grit are required to be adjunct to these reward drives for final achievement. 32 , 43 , 44 BAS sensitivity is supposed to make people prone to impulsivity and respond to short-term rewards, which may increase the risk of substance or behavioral addiction. 30 In addition, grit is supposed to entail dedication to long-term rewarding goals.…”