The Pursuit of Pride: Outcomes achieved under Beliefs of Internal Control shape positive Affect and neural Dynamics in the vmPFC

Abstract

22Experiencing one's own life as controllable is essential for human well-being. Based on the theory that 23 subjectively perceived control (SPC) hinges on the attribution of events to the self, we test the effects of 24 SPC on the affective evaluation of task outcomes, neural dynamics, and ensuing behavioral preferences. 25In three independent studies we show that SPC increases dynamics in self-evaluative affect and engages 26 brain networks processing self-referential information in the cortical midline. Specifically, the 27 ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks both outcome value and SPC and covaries with self-evaluative affect. 28 Furthermore, high SPC and greater affective dynamics relate to greater functional coupling between the 29 ventral striatum and cortical midline structures during outcome consumption. Finally, we show that these 30 affective reactions promote motivation and the subjective value of controllable tasks. Our investigations 31 emphasize the importance of subjective models of how behavior leads to desired outcomes for positive 32 affect and intrinsic motivation. 33

Subjective Arousal and Perceived Control Clarify Heterogeneity in Inflammatory and Affective Outcomes

“…An interesting observation is that striatal activity driving individual differences in persistence following controllable setbacks is orthogonal to negative affect. Likewise, in the uncontrollable case, the mediating role of greater vmPFC activity is again to reduce the association between negative affect and persistence (see Stolz, Müller-Pinzler, Krach, & Paulus, 2019) for related findings). This suggests that the relative protective effect of perceived control observed in our high-arousal, high control subgroup may act through a similar mechanism, by allowing individuals to attribute positive outcomes to their own actions, engage in goal-oriented cognitions, and to dissociate the experience of adverse events, from what they might mean for future action/outcomes.…”