Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychological Science

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Jon Barch

Abstract

An individual’s experience of autonomy or lack thereof has a significant effect on interest and motivation towards everyday activities. The present study looks to expand on basic research by examining the neurocorrelates of interest following supporting and thwarting of autonomy through character choice in a videogame task. Previous research has demonstrated an important role of digital avatars on perceived autonomy and interest, and early neurological results have shown that choice of visual frame affects reward processing of task outcomes. Together, autonomy supports seem to enhance engagement and interest in a situation. In the present work, participants were presented with five characters to use as their avatar in a “running” game, requiring them to jump obstacles to succeed. Half of the participants were allowed free choice of the characters, whereas the other half were required to select the same character in a yoked fashion. Brain activity following success and failure was recorded with electroencephalography (EEG). Participants who were allowed to select their character reported greater autonomy, which predicted greater interest. Autonomy was predictive of the neurological processing, but no relation was found between interest and the feedback-related potentials. Exploratory analyses reveal a possible direct role of character preference on reward-processing.

Access Type

Open Access

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