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Neural Mechanisms of the Postdecisional Spreading-of-Alternatives Effect: Eeg Study

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Colosio

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Anna Shestakova

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Vadim Nikulin

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Anna Shpektor

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Vasily Klucharev

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

Abstract

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that our preferences are modulated by the mere act of choosing. According to the cognitive dissonance theory, a choice between two similarly valued alternatives creates a psychological tension (cognitive dissonance) that is reduced by a post-decisional re-evaluation of the alternatives – the post-decisional spreading-of-alternatives effect – the chosen item being later evaluated more positively and the rejected item more negatively. Previous neuroimaging studies indicated a central role of the medial prefrontal cortex in cognitive dissonance. In this work, we used electroencephalography to investigate a similarity of neural mechanisms underlying postdecisional preference change and general performance monitoring mechanisms. Our study demonstrates that decisions, associated with stronger cognitive dissonance, trigger a stronger negative fronto-central evoked response similar to the error-related negativity (ERN). Furthermore, the amplitude of ERN correlated with the post-decisional spreading-of-alternatives effect. ERN has been previously associated with incorrect responses and a general performance monitoring mechanism. Thus, our results suggest that cognitive dissonance can be reflected in the activity of the medial prefrontal cortex as a part of the general performance-monitoring circuitry

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Colosio & Anna Shestakova & Vadim Nikulin & Anna Shpektor & Vasily Klucharev, 2015. "Neural Mechanisms of the Postdecisional Spreading-of-Alternatives Effect: Eeg Study," HSE Working papers WP BRP 50/PSY/2015, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hig:wpaper:50psy2015
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    File URL: http://www.hse.ru/data/2015/12/08/1133982591/50PSY2015.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Koyo Nakamura & Hideaki Kawabata, 2013. "I Choose, Therefore I Like: Preference for Faces Induced by Arbitrary Choice," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-8, August.
    2. Timothy E. J. Behrens & Laurence T. Hunt & Mark W. Woolrich & Matthew F. S. Rushworth, 2008. "Associative learning of social value," Nature, Nature, vol. 456(7219), pages 245-249, November.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cognitive dissonance; ERN; brain; spread of alternatives; Eriksen Flanker task;
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    JEL classification:

    • Z - Other Special Topics

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