On the processing of optimal performances: Studying arousal evoked by being correct and fast

Abstract

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The role of arousal and motivation in emotional conflict resolution: Implications for spinal cord injury

“…In paragraph 5.1 we discussed cognitive changes of patients SCI ≥ T6 on tasks indirectly relying on processing speed (e.g., Dowler et al, 1995), response inhibition and sustained attention when feedback is provided (Davidoff et al, 1985). These findings suggest that phasic physiological arousal evoked on a trial by trial basis during cognitive tasks -e.g., by response feedback (Valt and Stürmer, 2021) -cannot guide optimal performance. We pose that arousal and motivation play an important role in resolving emotional conflict in SCI.…”

“…Although this relationship has been predicted for tonic arousal, there is evidence that internal signals of moment by moment changes in arousal affect brain processing and cognitive control. For instance, Valt and Stürmer (2021) showed that enhanced phasic physiological arousal is evoked not only by incorrect responses but also by correct responses and this phasic arousal guides optimal performance on a trial by trail basis during cognitive tasks. Importantly, the effects of these internal signals seem to be independent of valence (see also the reinforcement-learning model of Holroyd and Coles, 2002 for the role of dopaminergic signals to the anterior cingulate cortex depending on performance).…”