Although Social Anxiety is well-understood, the neural mechanisms behind this phenomenon are still under debate. Recent research suggests that Frontal Midline Theta power level expression seems...Show moreAlthough Social Anxiety is well-understood, the neural mechanisms behind this phenomenon are still under debate. Recent research suggests that Frontal Midline Theta power level expression seems indicative of the emotional processing of social evaluative feedback. However, it is still unclear what pattern this FM-theta expression follows in Socially Anxious individuals. The FM-theta power responses to social evaluative feedback in Rejection Sensitive people is not investigated thoroughly yet, although recent research points to a clear increase in FM-theta power in responses to unexpected rejection. In the current study, utilizing a social evaluative learning task, we tested whether the construct Rejection Sensitivity could influence the relationship between social anxiety and FM theta power expression in 12 female participants. Social feedback was provided by peers who provided positive social feedback in fixed numbers, creating Peer 1 who would provide positive social feedback in 85% of trials and Peer 4, who would provide positive social feedback in 15% of trials. We also examined which coping mechanisms are utilized more often in both Socially Anxious and Rejection Sensitive population (e.g. self-blaming, other blaming, catastrophizing, rumination, acceptance, refocusing, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective). Correlation analyses revealed a strong negative correlation between Rejection Sensitivity and FM-theta level expression in unexpected rejection by Peer 1, whereby lower FM-theta levels were associated with higher Rejection Sensitivity. A large, positive and significant correlation between receiving unexpected rejection and unexpected acceptance by Peer 4 was observed. Unfortunately, the main question about the influence of Rejection Sensitivity on the relationship between Social Anxiety and FM-theta power as a response to social evaluative feedback, could not be answered due to methodological issues related to a small sample size. These issues also led the analysis of coping mechanisms to be invalid and therefore no results are indicative as to which coping mechanisms are utilized more often. Finally, FM-theta band activity seems to be a servicing as a reactive error correcting mechanism, which might lead to clear responses in Rejection Sensitive people, but not necessary in Socially Anxious individuals, who suffer more from anticipating fears. Therefore, it seems somewhat unsure whether FM theta is completely suitable for the investigation of emotional processing within Socially Anxious people. It is advised for future studies to include a larger sample.Show less
Midfrontal EEG oscillations in the theta (4-8 Hz) band reflect a threat-detection mechanism, which might work differently in individuals with fear of negative evaluation (FNE) due to attentional...Show moreMidfrontal EEG oscillations in the theta (4-8 Hz) band reflect a threat-detection mechanism, which might work differently in individuals with fear of negative evaluation (FNE) due to attentional biases. This study aimed to examine FM theta reactivity to social-evaluation in a probabilistic feedback learning experiment, and possible biased learning processes in individuals with FNE, a hallmark feature in social anxiety. Additionally, the current study explored the possible mediating role of FM theta power in the relationship between FNE and emotion regulation. Fifty-nine undergraduate students (mean age = 20.5 years) participated in the newly developed SELF-profile paradigm. The participants received social rejection or acceptance feedback by (predominantly positive and negative) peers, which was either congruent or incongruent with prior expectations. Results revealed that unexpected peer feedback, regardless of the valence (acceptance or rejection), elicited a significant increase in FM theta power, as did feedback from the most negative peer. No association between FM theta power and FNE was found, and FM theta power did not mediate the relationship between FNE and emotion regulation (positive reappraisal or rumination). Behaviourally, participants had more difficulties in learning the probability of acceptance feedback for the negative peer than the positive peer. Individuals with FNE were slower in predicting acceptance feedback for the most positive peer, and felt more rejected after the experiment. Together, the results provided evidence that individuals with higher FNE seemed to display increased negative affect after receiving feedback and an attention bias towards threat. Furthermore, FM theta power seemed to reflect uncertainty-driven exploration.Show less
