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

Marco Colosio (), Anna Shestakova (), Vadim Nikulin (), Anna Shpektor () and Vasily Klucharev ()
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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

HSE Working papers from 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

Keywords: cognitive dissonance; ERN; brain; spread of alternatives; Eriksen Flanker task (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2015
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-neu
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Published in WP BRP Series: Science, Psychology / PSY, December 2015, pages 1-20

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