Rejection sensitivity (RS) is defined as the tendency to anxiously anticipate, perceive, and overreact to real or perceived rejection and can have significant effects on interpersonal relationships. Previous research has shown the negative social effects of RS, particularly in the context of romantic relationships, but less is known about the cognitive implications of having high levels of RS. Specifically, it is unclear whether a heightened sensitivity to rejection is associated with enhanced error processing or feedback evaluation. The current study used EEG to examine the effect of RS on two event-related potential (ERP) components associated with error monitoring and feedback evaluation, error-related negativity (ERN) and feedback-related negativity (FRN), respectively. Participants completed a Flanker task during which they received either social (faces) or nonsocial (symbols) feedback about their performance. Results showed an increased ERN on error trials for individuals with higher RS. Although the FRN was not influenced by RS, there was an expectancy-valence interaction. FRN amplitude was also sensitive to condition, with correct feedback eliciting significantly more negative FRN in the social condition compared to the nonsocial condition; FRN for unexpected feedback was also greater in the social condition. Overall, the results suggest a relationship between error monitoring and RS, as well as a relationship between social information and feedback processing. Future research should further explore the relationship between rejection sensitivity, attention, and social feedback processing.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-1909 |
| Date | 07 April 2022 |
| Creators | Ridley, Elizabeth, Sellers, E. W. |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum & Jay S. Boland Undergraduate Research Symposium |
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