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Reward positivity biases interval production in a continuous timing task
  • Yan Yan,
  • Laurence Hunt,
  • Cameron Hassall
Yan Yan
Stanford University
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Laurence Hunt
University of Oxford
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Cameron Hassall
University of Oxford

Corresponding Author:chassall@gmail.com

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Abstract

The neural circuits of reward processing and interval timing (including perception and production) are functionally intertwined, suggesting that it might be possible for momentary reward processing to influence subsequent timing behavior. Previous animal and human studies have mainly focused on the effect of reward on interval perception, whereas its impact on interval production is less clear. In this study, we examined whether feedback, as an example of performance-contingent reward, biases interval production. We recorded EEG from 20 participants while they engaged in a continuous drumming task with different realistic tempos (1728 trials per participant). Participants received color-coded feedback after each beat about whether they were correct (on time) or incorrect (early or late). Regression-based EEG analysis was used to unmix the rapid occurrence of a feedback response called the reward positivity (RewP), which is traditionally observed in more slow-paced tasks. Using linear mixed modelling, we found that RewP amplitude predicted timing behavior for the upcoming beat. This performance-biasing effect of the RewP was interpreted as reflecting the impact of fluctuations in dopaminergic activities on timing, and the necessity of continuous paradigms to make such observations was highlighted.
11 Jul 2023Submitted to Psychophysiology
12 Jul 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 Jul 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
14 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Feb 20242nd Revision Received
04 Mar 2024Submission Checks Completed
04 Mar 2024Assigned to Editor
04 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Mar 2024Editorial Decision: Accept