Need for Cognition is associated with a preference for higher task load in effort discounting

Abstract

When individuals set goals, they consider the subjective value (SV) of the anticipated reward and the required effort, a trade-off that is of great interest to psychological research. One approach to quantify the SVs of levels of difficulty of a cognitive task is the Cognitive Effort Discounting Paradigm by Westbrook and colleagues (2013). However, it fails to acknowledge the highly individual nature of effort, as it assumes a unidirectional, inverse relationship between task load and SVs. Therefore, it cannot map differences in effort perception that arise from traits like Need for Cognition, since individuals who enjoy effortful cognitive activities likely do not prefer the easiest level. We replicated the analysis of Westbrook and colleagues with an adapted version, the Cognitive and Affective Discounting (CAD) Paradigm. It quantifies SVs without assuming that the easiest level is preferred, thereby enabling the assessment of SVs for tasks without objective order of task load. Results show that many of the 116 participants preferred a more or the most difficult level. Variance in SVs was best explained by a declining logistic contrast of the $$n$$ n -back levels and by the accuracy of responses, while reaction time as a predictor was highly volatile depending on the preprocessing pipeline. Participants with higher Need for Cognition scores perceived higher $$n$$ n -back levels as less effortful and found them less aversive. Effects of Need for Cognition on SVs in lower levels did not reach significance, as group differences only emerged in higher levels. The CAD Paradigm appears to be well suited for assessing and analysing task preferences independent of the supposed objective task difficulty.Protocol registrationThe stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on August 19, 2022. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CPXTH.

A neurometabolic signature in the frontal cortex explains individual differences in effort-based decision-making

“…While effort is typically viewed as something to be minimized, it can also enhance the value of outcomes and even drive our choices (Gheza et al, 2023; Inzlicht et al, 2018; Zerna et al, 2023). Stable individual differences in cognitive motivation — the tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive activities — have been documented with self-report measures and recently reinforced by empirical evidence (Crawford et al, 2022).…”

The role of cognitive effort in emotion regulation

“…This observation is crucial, as effort is costly (Inzlicht et al, 2018). Individuals tend to avoid tasks that require substantial effort and even show a willingness to forego potential gains in order to avoid them (Kool et al, 2010;Westbrook et al, 2013;Zerna et al, 2023). This behavioural tendency could be The role of cognitive effort in emotion regulation 7 attributed to the finite nature of personal resources or alternatively reflect a strategic effort allocation aimed at optimising outcomes (Baumeister et al, 1998;Kurzban et al, 2013;Muraven et al, 1998;Tamir, 2021).…”

Latent profiles of effort functions and their impact on task experience and behavior

“…This positive experience of effort is also reflected in behavior (Milyavskaya et al, 2021), as not everybody and not in every situation avoids effort (Inzlicht et al, 2018;Stähler et al, 2023). Quite the contrary, some people even seem to seek effortful activities (e.g., Zerna et al, 2023).…”

“…However, as effort is linked to success, it is often exerted to achieve worthwhile goals despite its aversiveness (e.g., Kurzban, 2016). Conversely, accumulating evidence suggests that, in certain circumstances, some people experience effort positively and inherently rewarding (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) and even seem to seek out effortful activities for the sake of exerting effort (Zerna et al, 2023). This variability in the experience of effort is crucial for understanding why people choose to exert or avoid effort (Maltagliati et al, 2024).…”