Patterns of theta oscillation reflect the neural basis of individual differences in epistemic motivation

Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-146957
  • Theta oscillations in the EEG have been shown to reflect ongoing cognitive processes related to mental effort. Here, we show that the pattern of theta oscillation in response to varying cognitive demands reflects stable individual differences in the personality trait epistemic motivation: Individuals with high levels of epistemic motivation recruit relatively more cognitive resources in response to situations possessing high, compared to low, cognitive demand; individuals with low levels do not show such a specific response. Our results provideTheta oscillations in the EEG have been shown to reflect ongoing cognitive processes related to mental effort. Here, we show that the pattern of theta oscillation in response to varying cognitive demands reflects stable individual differences in the personality trait epistemic motivation: Individuals with high levels of epistemic motivation recruit relatively more cognitive resources in response to situations possessing high, compared to low, cognitive demand; individuals with low levels do not show such a specific response. Our results provide direct evidence for the theory of the construct need for cognition and add to our understanding of the neural processes underlying theta oscillations. More generally, we provide an explanation how individual differences in personality traits might be represented on a neural level.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author: Patrick Mussel, Nathalie Ulrich, John J. B. Allen, Roman Osinsky, Johannes Hewig
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-146957
Document Type:Journal article
Faculties:Fakultät für Humanwissenschaften (Philos., Psycho., Erziehungs- u. Gesell.-Wissensch.) / Institut für Psychologie
Language:English
Parent Title (English):Scientific Reports
Year of Completion:2016
Volume:6
Pagenumber:29245
Source:Scientific Reports 6:29245 DOI: 10.1038/srep29245
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep29245
Dewey Decimal Classification:1 Philosophie und Psychologie / 15 Psychologie / 153 Kognitive Prozesse, Intelligenz
Tag:Motivation; Personality
Release Date:2017/05/05
Collections:Open-Access-Publikationsfonds / Förderzeitraum 2016
Licence (German):License LogoCC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung