Internal control beliefs shape positive affect and associated neural dynamics during outcome valuation.

Nature Communications
David S StolzFrieder M Paulus

Abstract

Experiencing events as controllable is essential for human well-being. Based on classic psychological theory, we test how internal control beliefs impact the affective valuation of task outcomes, neural dynamics and ensuing behavioral preferences. In three consecutive studies we show that dynamics in positive affect increase, with a qualitative shift towards self-evaluative pride, when agents believe they caused a given outcome. We demonstrate that these outcomes engage brain networks processing self-referential information in the cortical midline. Here, activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks outcome valence regarding both success as well as internal control, and covaries with positive affect in response to outcomes. These affective dynamics also relate to increased functional coupling between the ventral striatum and cortical midline structures. Finally, we show that pride predicts preferences for control, even at monetary costs. Our investigations extend recent models of positive affect and well-being, and emphasize that control beliefs drive intrinsic motivation.

References

Aug 1, 1986·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·S Nolen-HoeksemaM E Seligman
Dec 26, 2001·Annual Review of Psychology·Jacquelynne S Eccles, Allan Wigfield
Jan 22, 2002·Nature Neuroscience·Giuseppe PagnoniGregory S Berns
Apr 3, 2004·Journal of Gambling Studies·Jackie JoukhadorFiona Maccallum
Aug 11, 2004·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Georg Northoff, Felix Bermpohl
Aug 13, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Tim V SalomonsRichard J Davidson
Oct 28, 2004·Nature Neuroscience·Markus Ullsperger, D Yves von Cramon
Sep 7, 2006·Annual Review of Psychology·Mark R Leary
Sep 7, 2006·Annual Review of Psychology·June Price TangneyDebra J Mashek
Mar 28, 2008·Nature Neuroscience·Matthew F S Rushworth, Timothy E J Behrens
May 29, 2008·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·Lisa A Williams, David DeSteno
Mar 17, 2009·Cognition·Quentin J M Huys, Peter Dayan
Dec 18, 2009·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Lisette van der MeerAnthony S David
Mar 31, 2010·Cerebral Cortex·Leah H SomervilleTodd F Heatherton
Sep 8, 2010·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Lauren A LeottiKevin N Ochsner
Jun 28, 2011·Nature Methods·Tal YarkoniTor D Wager
Aug 19, 2011·Addictive Behaviors·Ronald M Kadden, Mark D Litt
Sep 21, 2011·Psychological Science·Lauren A Leotti, Mauricio R Delgado
Feb 9, 2012·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Mathieu RoyTor D Wager
May 9, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Diana I Tamir, Jason P Mitchell
Nov 24, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Christoph W KornHauke R Heekeren
Dec 20, 2012·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Brent L Hughes, Jennifer S Beer
Feb 16, 2013·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Wouter KoolMatthew M Botvinick
Jul 13, 2013·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Arnaud D'Argembeau
Jul 28, 2013·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·John A Clithero, Antonio Rangel
Oct 16, 2013·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Anil K Seth
Nov 8, 2013·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Luke ClarkGui Xue
Jan 7, 2014·Psychological Science·Lauren A Leotti, Mauricio R Delgado
Feb 1, 1997·Behavioural Processes·S Suzuki
Jul 30, 2014·Neuron·Jeffrey CockburnMichael J Frank
Aug 6, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Robb B RutledgeRaymond J Dolan
Sep 10, 2014·Neuron·Jamil P Bhanji, Mauricio R Delgado
May 29, 2015·Journal of Personality·Aaron C WeidmanAndrew J Elliot
Dec 29, 2015·Neuropsychologia·Michael GileadNira Liberman
Jun 14, 2016·Nature Communications·Robb B RutledgeRaymond J Dolan
Jun 24, 2016·Psychological Review·Steven F Maier, Martin E P Seligman
Feb 27, 2018·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Michael InzlichtChristopher Y Olivola
Aug 15, 2018·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Bojana KuzmanovicMarc Tittgemeyer
Feb 28, 2019·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Verena LyMauricio R Delgado
Mar 17, 2019·Cerebral Cortex·Kainan S Wang, Mauricio R Delgado
Oct 9, 2019·Scientific Reports·Laura Müller-PinzlerSören Krach

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 6, 2021·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Paul J EslingerRoland Zahn
Aug 26, 2021·Scientific Reports·Nora CzekallaLaura Müller-Pinzler
Sep 10, 2021·International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology·Liping ZhangChangquan Long
Nov 10, 2021·PLoS Computational Biology·Jaejoong KimBumseok Jeong

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Psychophysics Toolbox
SPM12
Matlab
JASP
R
Neurosynth

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Basal Ganglia

Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.

Related Papers

BMJ : British Medical Journal
S Wessely
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
J Ferris
Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science
Jeanne L Tsai
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved