The Influence of Reward and Reward Sensitivity on Executive Functioning in Adults

Abstract

Executive Functions (EFs) are a critical aspect of advanced human mental processing and higher-order functioning. The performance of EFs within adults was evaluated to examine the extent that reward presence and participant reward sensitivity influences such EFs performance. Previous research has indicated that the presence of a reward to children with low reward sensitivity tended to exhibit improved EFs when compared to children with high reward sensitivity. Similar trends were illustrated within studies on adults participants and urged for further exploration. Participants completed a Reward-Responsiveness Scale via a self-report survey to be designated as either high or low reward sensitivity, and were then tasked to complete a Color-Word Stroop Task both in the presence of and without a reward. Results indicated contrary to previous trends that the presence of a reward and participant reward sensitivity did not demonstrate improved EFs performance in participants. These findings did not indicate a relationship between reward presence and reward sensitivity with EFs as previously hypothesized, but provided insight into the innerworkings of EFs as a whole