Losses Loom Larger Than Gains: Neural Correlates Of Behavioral Gain-Loss Asymmetry Volume 5 - Issue 4

Diego G Flores, Scott C Steffensen and Harold Miller*

• Department of psychology, Brigham Young University, USA

Received:August 02, 2021   Published:August 11, 2021

Corresponding author:Harold Miller, Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

DOI: 10.32474/SJPBS.2021.05.000217

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Abstract

We measured the asymmetry of monetary gains and losses behaviorally using a computer game during which we simultaneously recorded participants’ electroencephalographic activity. The behavioral measures demonstrated that, on average, losses loomed larger than gains did (3.2:1). Event-related potentials, particularly the P300, had significantly greater mean amplitudes when losses occurred compared to gains (1.99:1) and correlated directly with the behavioral asymmetry we measured in the game (r = 0.85).

Keywords:Prospect Theory; Computer Game; Conjoint Interdependent Concurrent VI VI Schedule; Gain (Reinforcer); Loss (Punisher); Gain/Loss Asymmetry; P300 Wave; Event-Related Potential (ERP); EMOTIV EPOC+®; EEG; Generalized Matching Law

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