The Value of Success: Medial Frontal Activation and Value
Author Information
Author(s): Mowrer Samantha M., Jahn Andrew A., Abduljalil Amir, Cunningham William A.
Primary Institution: The Ohio State University
Hypothesis
Does activity in anterior medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) relate to processing successful actions regardless of tangible benefits?
Conclusion
Anterior mOFC responds to all successful outcomes, whether they have tangible benefits or not.
Supporting Evidence
- Anterior mOFC showed greater activity to successful outcomes than failures.
- Participants reported more positive emotions following successes than failures.
- Anterior mOFC processes rewards in terms of a common currency.
Takeaway
The brain has a special area that lights up when we succeed, even if there's no prize, showing that success feels good.
Methodology
Participants performed a task involving monetary gains and losses while undergoing fMRI scanning.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from participant selection and task performance.
Limitations
The study excluded participants who did not complete the task or had abnormal brain activity.
Participant Demographics
34 healthy, right-handed volunteers (18 females; mean age 23.5, range 18–35 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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