ISSN : 1229-0718
Recent studies on cognitive control have integrated motivational factors into the control process. However, how motivation affects cognitive control processes remains unclear. Based on previous findings, we assumed that the intensity of control would change flexibly with the age difference in value system and the ability to allocate cognitive resources depending on reward value would be well-maintained in older age. In this study, we examined this hypothesis by varying the feedback presented to young and older adults in the Eriksen flanker task which presents three different types of feedback: emotional, monetary, and neutral. Each age group showed their best performance in the feedback condition which was the most appealing to them. This result suggests that the level of control engagement is modulated by reward value and there is no age difference in the ability to allocate the optimal amount of the control resource. These findings provide a novel perspective in understanding individual differences in cognitive control.
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