The influence of self-construal type on outcome evaluation: Evidence from event-related potentials

• Published in: International journal of psychophysiology Vol. 112; pp. 64 - 69
• Main Authors: Zhu, Xiangru, Wu, Haiyan, Yang, Suyong, Gu, Ruolei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-02-2017
• Subjects: Adult; Choice Behavior - physiology; Ego; Event-related potential (ERP); Evoked Potentials - physiology; Feedback-related negativity (FRN); Female; Humans; Male; Outcome evaluation; Punishment; Reward; Self-construal priming; Young Adult; P3; Feedback-related negativity (FRN); Outcome evaluation; Self-construal priming; Event-related potential (ERP)
• ISSN: 0167-8760; 1872-7697
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.12.010

Recent studies have revealed a close relationship between the self and reward networks. One of our previous studies has found that outcome evaluation (including the processing of reward and punishment) is modulated by self-reflection. A question remaining unclear is how different types of self-construal influence outcome evaluation. Self-construal refers to the way in which people perceive themselves to be linked (or not) with other people. Two subtypes of self-construal have been identified: independent self and interdependent self. In the present study, 27 normal adults read essays that contained independent or interdependent pronouns (i.e., I or we) and then performed a gambling task while brain event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. The ERP analysis focused on the feedback-related negativity (FRN) and the P3 component. Outcome feedback evoked a larger FRN in the independent self-priming condition than in the interdependent self-priming condition. In contrast, the P3 amplitude was insensitive to self-construal manipulation. The present findings suggest that different types of transient self-construal manifest differently in outcome evaluation processes, supporting the existence of a close link between the self and reward networks.
•The impact of different types of self-construal on outcome evaluation is studied.•Two types of self-construal in this study are independent and interdependent self.•Outcome feedback elicited a larger FRN in the independent self condition.•The P3 component was insensitive to self-construal manipulation.