Braem, S. 1 , Verguts, T. 1 , Roggeman, C. 2 & Notebaert, W. 1
1 Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
2 Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
In a recent model by Verguts and Notebaert (2008, 2009), cognitive control effects such as the conflict adaptation effect and the task switch cost are captured in terms of adaptation by binding. It has recently been shown that positive affect increases binding (Colzato, van Wouwe, & Hommel, 2007; Waszak & Pholulamdeth, 2009). If reward strengthens task-relevant associations, it can be expected that conflict adaptation and the task switch cost will increase after reward, but not after punishment. In a series of experiments we have put this hypothesis to the test combining both a standard flanker task and a task switch paradigm with reinforcement signals. Both experiments confirmed our predictions. Moreover, individual differences, as measured by the Behavioural Activation Scale, show that the more sensitive people are to rewards, the more reward strengthens task-relevant associations.