Reward expectancy promotes generalized increases in attentional bias for rewarding stimuli.
Expectations of drug availability increase the magnitude of attentional biases for drug-related cues. However, it is unknown whether these effects are outcome specific, or whether expectation of a specific reinforcer produces a general enhancement of attentional bias for other types of rewarding cues. In the present study, 31 social drinkers completed an eye-tracking task in which attentional bias for alcohol- and chocolate-related cues was assessed while the expectation of receiving alcohol and chocolate was manipulated on a trial-by-trial basis. Participants showed attentional bias for alcohol and chocolate cues (relative to neutral cues) overall. Importantly, these attentional biases for reward cues were magnified when participants expected to receive alcohol and chocolate, but effects were not outcome specific: The expectation of receiving either alcohol or chocolate increased attentional bias for both alcohol and chocolate cues. Results suggest that anticipation of reward produces a general rather than an outcome-specific enhancement of attentional bias for reward-related stimuli.
School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Andrew
A
Jones
Lee
L
Hogarth
Paul
P
Christiansen
Abigail K
AK
Rose
Jasna
J
Martinovic
Matt
M
Field
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012201:Reward; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult