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Allgemeine Psychologie II - Motivation und Emotion

Research

General Description

The MOTIVATION AND EMOTION IN ACTION LAB (MOVE) is dedicated to the scientific study of the motivational and emotional controls of human behaviour on the subpersonal (mechanistic) level. Based on an effect-based perspective on action control, the guiding idea is that motivated behaviour is directed and energized by the anticipated production of a wanted perception. A special focus of our research lies on the approach-avoidance distinction and on the study of aggressive behaviour. Our experimental research uses various methods, such as statistical analyses of behavioural records and reaction times, virtual reality environments, biopsychological (facial EMG, SCR), and neuroscientific methods (EEG, fMRI; with cooperating labs).

A synthesis of our theoretical approach is described in this key article:

Eder, A. B. (2023). A perceptual control theory of emotional action. Cognition and Emotion, 37(7), 1167–1184. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2023.2265234

Visit our lab at ResearchGate

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Below is a list of selected research topics we have been working on.

Aggression

Our research explored how individuals seeking revenge for an interpersonal transgression process and respond to emotional expressions of the targets of their retaliatory aggression. The results consistently showed that expressions of suffering were the most potent controllers of (retaliatory) aggression.

Key article:

  • Eder, A.B., Mitschke, V., & Gollwitzer, M. (2020). What stops revenge taking? Effects of observed emotional reactions on revenge seeking. Aggressive Behavior, 46, 305-316. DOI:  10.1002/ab.21890

Approach-Avoidance Motivation

Human motivation encompasses two primary orientations – an approach orientation directing individuals towards rewards, gains, and consummation, and an avoidance orientation guiding them away from punishments, threats, and losses. In studies, we have investigated the processes that prime simple behaviours like pushing and pulling a lever, stepping forward and backward, or pressing keys that zoom stimuli in and out. Through these investigations, we have drawn inferences about the cognitive action representations that underlie approach-avoidance behavior.

Key article:

Embodiment

Investigating approach-avoidance behaviour in a virtuality reality environment, we could demonstrate an embodied link between positive stimuli and the execution of a forward step, and negative stimuli and the execution of a backward step.

Key article:

  • Download PDF Eder, A. B., Krishna, A., Sebald, A., & Kunde, W. (2021). Embodiment of approach-avoidance behavior: Motivational priming of whole-body movements in a virtual world. Motivation Science, 7, 133–144. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000205

Approach-Avoidance Training

Approach-avoidance training (AAT) procedures were developed with the prospect that they can modify action impulses to approach or avoid specific stimuli. Our research investigates the underlying process of AAT effects.

Key article:

Punishment

Common belief suggests that actions leading to punishing stimuli are automatically suppressed. However, our research showed that punishing electric shocks can even facilitate contingent responses relative to neutral responses in specific circumstances.

Key article:

  • Download PDF Eder, A. B., Dignath, D., Erle, T., & Wiemer, J. (2017). Shocking action: Facilitative effects of punishing electric shocks on action control. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 146, 1204-1215. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000332

Emotion Regulation

We have shown that people can influence emotional response tendencies with strategic preparations of antagonistic (or synergetic) responses to emotional cues.

Key article:

  • Download PDFEder, A. B., Rothermund, K., & Proctor, R. W. (2010). The prepared emotional reflex: Intentional preparation of automatic approach and avoidance tendencies as a means to regulate emotional responding. Emotion, 10, 593-598. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019009

Action-Effect Learning

We conducted research on action-effect learning, for example, investigating the influence of instructions on action-effect learning.

Key article:

Operant Evaluative Conditioning

Using an evaluative conditioning procedure, we demonstrated that associations between actions and evaluative outcomes affect evaluations of stimuli paired with these actions.

Key article:

Habits

A hallmark of habitual action is its persistence following the devaluation of the action outcome. Employing a procedure termed "outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer of control," we demonstrated that this persistence is moderated by the intensity and immediate consequences of the devaluation treatment. This research is important because it reveals that action tendencies dubbed "habitual" are still sensitive to changes in the value of outcomes.

Key article:

  • Eder, A. B., & Dignath, D. (2019). Expected value of control and the motivational control of habitual action. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 1812. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01812

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