School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
British Aerospace, UK.
Int J Psychophysiol. 2017 Sep;119:58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.01.007. Epub 2017 Jan 19.
According to motivational intensity theory, effort is proportional to the level of task demand provided that success is possible and successful performance is deemed worthwhile. The current study represents a simultaneous manipulation of demand (working memory load) and success importance (financial incentive) to investigate neurophysiological (EEG) and cardiovascular measures of effort. A 2×2 repeated-measures study was conducted where 18 participants performed a n-back task under three conditions of demand: easy (1-back), hard (4-back) and very hard (7-back). In addition, participants performed these tasks in the presence of performance-contingent financial incentive or in a no-incentive (pilot trial) condition. Three bands of EEG activity were quantified: theta (4-7Hz), lower-alpha (7.5-10Hz) and upper-alpha (10.5-13Hz). Fronto-medial activity in the theta band and activity in the upper-alpha band at frontal, central and parietal sites were sensitive to demand and indicated greatest effort when the task was challenging and success was possible. Mean systolic blood pressure and activity in the lower-alpha band at parietal sites were also sensitive to demand but also increased in the incentive condition across all levels of task demand. The results of the study largely support the predictions of motivational intensity using neurophysiological markers of effort.
根据动机强度理论，只要成功是可能的，并且成功的表现被认为是有价值的，那么努力程度就与任务需求的水平成正比。本研究同时操纵需求（工作记忆负荷）和成功重要性（财务激励），以研究努力的神经生理（EEG）和心血管指标。进行了一项 2×2 重复测量研究，其中 18 名参与者在三种需求条件下执行 n 回任务：简单（1 回）、困难（4 回）和非常困难（7 回）。此外，参与者在有绩效相关财务激励或无激励（试点试验）的情况下执行这些任务。量化了三个频段的 EEG 活动：θ波（4-7Hz）、低α波（7.5-10Hz）和高α波（10.5-13Hz）。θ频段的额-内侧活动以及额、中、顶部位点的高α频段的活动对需求敏感，表明当任务具有挑战性且成功可能时，需要付出最大的努力。顶部位点的平均收缩压和低α频段的活动也对需求敏感，但在激励条件下，所有任务需求水平的活动都会增加。研究结果在很大程度上支持了使用努力的神经生理标志物的动机强度预测。
