Induced Positive Mood and Cognitive Flexibility: Evidence from Task Switching and Reversal Learning

Collabra: Psychology

Amy T. Nusbaum¹  Cristina G. Wilson¹  John M. Hinson¹  Paul Whitney¹  Anthony Stenson¹ 

[1] Washington State University, Department of Psychology, Pullman, Washington

关键词: mood;    cognitive flexibility;    reversal learning;    task switching;   

DOI  :  10.1525/collabra.150

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: University of California Press

【 摘 要 】

Positive mood often facilitates cognitive functions. Facilitation is hypothesized to be due to an increase in dopamine occurring in positive mood states. However, facilitation has not been consistently found in studies of cognitive flexibility. This inconsistent relationship may reflect the numerous ways cognitive flexibility is measured. Moreover, there is evidence that the role of dopamine in cognitive flexibility performance depends on the type of measure used. In the current study, we employed a probabilistic two-card reversal learning task (n = 129) and a Stroop-like task switching procedure (n = 188) in a college student population. We used a standardized set of mood videos to induce a positive, negative, or neutral mood state. Negative mood states were included to account for possible effects of arousal on performance, which is seen in both positive and negative mood inductions. Based on current theories of positive mood and cognition, we hypothesized that there would be differences in the effects of a positive mood induction on cognitive flexibility as assessed by task switching and reversal learning tasks. The mood induction successfully induced high levels of amusement and increased valence in the positive mood group and high levels of repulsion and decreased valence in the negative mood group. However, there were no differences in cognitive flexibility across any of the mood groups, as assessed by switch costs in task switching and correct choices after the reversal in reversal learning. Overall, these findings do not support the hypothesis that positive mood improves cognitive flexibility.

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【 授权许可】

CC BY