Impulsivity and compulsivity have been placed on a continuum in which impulsivity is motivated by reward sensitivity and compulsivity by avoidance. Recently, however, studies emphasised...Show moreImpulsivity and compulsivity have been placed on a continuum in which impulsivity is motivated by reward sensitivity and compulsivity by avoidance. Recently, however, studies emphasised neurocognitive influences on impulsivity and compulsivity, underscoring the significance of action control. Thus, this study proposed the metacontrol state model (MSM) as an additional explanation of variance in impulsivity and compulsivity across the general population. The MSM views individuals to fall on a spectrum between cognitive flexibility and persistence, where the individual’s biases towards either side of the spectrum impacts their ability to control and inhibit action. We hypothesised that individual meta-control biases towards flexibility or persistence predict individual differences in impulsivity and compulsivity in addition to reward sensitivity and avoidance. In order to examine this relationship, 41 participants (mean age = 23.7) completed a variation of the Stroop task, the Monetary Incentive Delay task, and the UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a meta-control bias towards flexibility was positively associated with impulsivity while a persistence bias was associated with compulsivity. However, this study’s findings contradicted the traditional view, indicating an association of reward sensitivity with compulsivity and avoidance with impulsivity. The exploratory analysis, identified an interaction between reward sensitivity and the meta-control biases and a mediating effect of the MSM was suspected. Overall, this study highlights the association between individual differences in cognitive control and impulsivity and compulsivity, emphasising both the insufficiency of traditional models and the relevance of the meta-control state model.Show less
Perfectionism: does it help or hinder one's feedback learning performance? The present study investigated the relationship between perfectionism and feedback learning, and if reward sensitivity...Show morePerfectionism: does it help or hinder one's feedback learning performance? The present study investigated the relationship between perfectionism and feedback learning, and if reward sensitivity plays a mediating role in this relationship. We wanted to examine whether adaptive perfectionism (AP) and maladaptive perfectionism (MP) predict differences in feedback learning, tending more towards positive or negative feedback learning. Furthermore, we examined if this relationship might be influenced by one's sensitivity to different types of feedback: reward and punishment. Participants (N = 113) carried out a probabilistic learning task and completed the Almost Perfect Scale Revised and the Sensitivity to Punishment Sensitivity to Reward questionnaires. We found no differences in feedback learning between adaptive and maladaptive participants. Correspondingly, we also did not find mediating roles for reward and punishment sensitivity. However, we did find a strong significant relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and punishment sensitivity. These results remained unchanged when we carried out an exploratory analysis, using only perfectionistic participants. Because existing literature points towards strong correlations between perfectionism, feedback learning, and reward sensitivity, more research is needed to investigate the links between these constructs.Show less
