Abstract
ObjectiveThis study modeled win and lose trials in a simple gambling task to examine the effect of entire win–lose situations (WIN, LOSS, or TIE) on single win/lose trials and related neural underpinnings.MethodsThe behavior responses and brain activities of 17 participants were recorded by an MRI scanner while they performed a gambling task. Different conditions were compared to determine the effect of the task on the behavior and brain activity of the participants. Correlations between brain activity and behavior were calculated to support the imaging results.ResultsIn win trials, LOSS caused less intense posterior cingulate activity than TIE. In lose trials, LOSS caused more intense activity in the right superior temporal gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral anterior cingulate, bilateral insula cortex, and left orbitofrontal cortex than WIN and TIE.ConclusionsThe experiences of the participants in win trials showed great similarity among different win–lose situations. However, the brain activity and behavior responses of the participants in lose trials indicated that they experienced stronger negative emotion in LOSS. The participants also showed an increased desire to win in LOSS than in WIN or TIE conditions.
Highlights
A reward/punishment is an attractive/disgusting stimulus given to an individual to alter his or her behavior
Subjective experience reports In win trials, all participants reported positive experiences no matter in disadvantageous situations (LOSS) [M = 5.53, SD = 0.624] or in advantageous situations (WIN) [M = 5.71, SD = 0.470], no significant difference were found between these two conditions [t = 21.144, p = 0.269]
Significant correlations were found between anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (r = 20.391, p = 0.084) and posterior cingulated cortex (PCC) (r = 20.423, p = 0.064) activation and subjects’ experience to lose in LOSS (Figure 3e, 3f)
Summary
A reward/punishment is an attractive/disgusting stimulus given to an individual to alter his or her behavior. People’s experience of the same stimulus may be altered by their specific situation (i.e., an advantageous or disadvantageous situation). This study assessed brain activity in different win–lose situations and related reward/punishment experiences. Participants were told that the outcomes were random, the outcomes were predetermined and classified into three win–lose situations: the participants double their initial balance (WIN), they lose all they have (LOSS), and win/loss no more than 10 yuan (TIE). These WIN or LOSS series were included to create different win–lose situations.
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