Neural reward processing is modulated by approach- and avoidance-related personality traits
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The neural processing of reward can be differentiated into two sub-components with different functions, "wanting" (i.e., the expectation of a reward which includes appetitive and motivational components) and "liking" (i.e., the hedonic impact experienced during the receipt of a reward), involving distinct neural systems. We hypothesize that variability in neural reward processing previously observed in healthy subjects could reflect inter-individual differences in personality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how the neural processing during expectation and reception of a reward depends on interpersonal differences in reward sensitivity, more specifically the tendency to approach vs. avoid reward-related situations. We employed event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary incentive delay task. Subjects with a high approach motivation showed more activation of the Ventral Striatum (VS) during the receipt of a reward, and more medial orbitofrontal activity during both the receipt and omission of a reward. Subjects with a high behavioral inhibition showed less activation in the VS during the receipt of a reward. These findings indicate that the tendency to approach or avoid reward-related situations exhibits a distinct relation with neural reward processing. Specifically, subjects with high behavioral approach appear to be sensitive mainly to positive outcomes and to a lesser extent to the omissions of rewards, whereas subjects with low behavioral approach as well as those with a high inhibition tendency display a blunted response to rewards.
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Experimental data suggest an association between risky and impulsive behavior, characteristic of ADHD, and dopamine release or dopamine-dependent BOLD response to rewards in the striatum.
“Additionally, experimental data suggest an association between risky and impulsive behavior, which is characteristic of ADHD,14–16 and dopamine release or dopamine-dependent BOLD response to rewards in the striatum.11,17–20”
From Striatal sensitivity during reward processing in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (2012) · cites this paper as [20]
There is a positive association between trait impulsivity or reward-related impulsivity and neural activation in the striatum following reward-predicting cues in healthy adult samples.
“First, there is a positive association between trait impulsivity or reward-related impulsivity and neural activation in the striatum following reward-predicting cues19,20,22 in healthy adult samples”
From Striatal sensitivity during reward processing in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (2012) · cites this paper as [20]
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- Authors
- Simon, J. J., Walther, S., Fiebach, C. J., Friederich, H.-C., Stippich, C., Weisbrod, M., & Kaiser, S.
- Affiliations
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Simon, Joe J.
- ORCID
- Venue
- NeuroImage
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-01
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 1868-1874
- ISSN
- 1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2128957544
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 5.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- Locations
- NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Emmy Noether grant of the German Research Foundation (DFG FI 848/3-1)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Keywords
- approach motivation, avoidance motivation, personality traits, reward sensitivity, ventral striatum, medial orbitofrontal cortex, monetary incentive delay task, reward omission, individual differences, behavioral inhibition
- MeSH terms
- Brain, Brain Mapping, Cues, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Personality, Personality Tests, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reaction Time, Reward, Task Performance and Analysis, Young Adult, Executive Function
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