Schedule of Events | Symposia

The Effects of Positive Feedback and Self-Efficacy on Electrophysiology and Behavior

Poster Session B - Sunday, March 30, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 am EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Karlie Souder¹, Kristie Stephens, Aram Akbari, Emily Stripling, Dara Olopade, Emma Chacon, Liam Feinberg, Smyth Harper, Michael Oliver, PhD; ¹Belmont University

Receiving feedback while executing a task may impact performance. However, there are different types of feedback such as positive or negative and ability or effort-based, that may differentially affect performance as well. Moreover, the relationship between feedback and performance may be impacted by one’s belief in their ability to perform a task well, or self-efficacy. The current study examines whether different types of positive feedback, namely ability-based and effort-based, impacts cortical processing speed (latency) and behavioral performance (accuracy) when executing a task while brain activity was measured simultaneously via electroencephalography (EEG). Further, we examined if self-efficacy affected this relationship. Participants were divided into three groups: no feedback, ability feedback, or effort feedback before completing the Stop-Signal Task, which was used to measure impulse control. Feedback statements were presented as computerized feedback during the Stop-Signal Task. Upon completion, participants completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results revealed quicker behavioral response times in those receiving no feedback compared to those receiving positive feedback (p=0.015), but no significant difference between feedback types or processing speed, suggesting that receiving feedback may slow responses as individuals process the feedback, whereas those without feedback may focus on task completion. Further, higher self-efficacy correlated with faster processing speed (r=-0.433, p=0.034) suggesting increased confidence in decision–making abilities and reduced cognitive load in those with high self-efficacy. Findings suggest that although feedback may be beneficial post-task, it may impede tasks at hand. Those with higher beliefs in their abilities may be less impacted by feedback due to intrinsic motivators.

Topic Area: THINKING: Decision making