Previous research presents a paradox in relation to the value of exerting personal control such that personal control is generally reinforcing, but its value may also be limited in some individuals and under certain circumstances. Across two studies, this dissertation takes a step towards exploring the limitations of perceived control at the process-level by manipulating perceived control via the provision of choice. Manuscript 1 examined limitations of perceived control in the context of effort costs and found that actual control, but not illusory control, may be necessary to enhance motivation in the context of physical effort, suggesting that perceived control may be limited in the context of effort. Manuscript 2 examined limitations of perceived control in relation to self-reported symptoms of anhedonia and found that responsivity to personal control was diminished in those with higher levels of anhedonia. Together these studies examined factors associated with limitations in appetitive personal control and suggest avenues for future research exploring perceived control processes and how they may interface with reward processes, which has potential implications for developing interventions to alleviate reward-related deficits found in anhedonia. / Doctor of Philosophy / Past research has shown that exerting personal control (actively influencing things in your life) is generally desired and motivating, but for some individuals and in some circumstances personal control may be less desirable or motivating (sometime people do not want to be in control). Across two studies, this dissertation explored why perceived control (the belief that one has influence over outcomes in one's life) might not be desired or motivating. In both studies, participants experienced perceived control during experiments when they were given choices within computerized games, believing themselves to have control over outcomes in the game. Manuscript 1 examined how perceived control may be less desirable when people must exert physical effort and found that people may be less inclined to believe they have control when their choice leads to a physical effort requirement. Manuscript 2 examined whether people want to be in control when they are experiencing anhedonia, a set of psychiatric symptoms that includes diminished motivation and reduced responses to reward (for example, paying less attention to rewards in the environment). This study found that people with anhedonia symptoms did not seem to want to be in control as much as psychologically healthy people. During the computerized game, people with anhedonia did not try to make their own choices when they had an opportunity to. Together these studies examined different factors associated with people not wanting to be in control or finding personal control less motivating. This research has implications for developing therapies for people with anhedonia, particularly symptoms related to not actively taking control.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/106542 |
| Date | 14 May 2020 |
| Creators | Toole, Holly Sullivan |
| Contributors | Graduate School, Richey, John A., LaConte, Stephen M., Bickel, Warren K., Allen, Irving C. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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