Temporal dynamics of hedonic and eudaimonic reward processing: An event-related potentials (ERPs) study

Abstract Reward or pleasure can be achieved from a hedonic approach (pleasure attainment) or eudaimonic approach (meaning and self-realization). However, the neurodynamics of hedonic and eudaimonic reward processing remain unclear. By operationalizing hedonic reward as “win money for oneself” and eudaimonic reward as “win money for charity”, the current study used the monetary incentive delay task to parse hedonic and eudaimonic reward dynamics into the anticipatory and consummatory stages while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. 24 participants (12 women) were recruited in this study. The results showed that in the anticipatory stage, the amplitudes evoked by hedonic and eudaimonic reward did not differ during early cue recognition (P2, N2), but they separated during late cue elaboration (cue-P3). In the consummatory stage, hedonic reward elicited a larger FRN effect, but eudaimonic reward elicited a larger fb-P3 effect. In addition, we also used the neural indices of hedonic and eudaimonic reward processing to predict participants' longitudinal changes in well-being (depression and positive emotion) across 6 months as exploratory in nature. Preliminary regression evidence suggested that greater differential amplitude of cue-P3 elicited by eudaimonic reward anticipation versus neutral anticipation positively predicted longitudinal increases in positive emotion. The findings elucidated specific substages of hedonic and eudaimonic reward processing and explored their potential roles in longitudinal changes in well-being.