Math-anxious people suffer more in math-related events: The perspective of reward processing on motivated behavior

Abstract

Individuals with high math anxiety (HMA) demonstrate a tendency to avoid math-related tasks, a behavior that perpetuates a detrimental cycle of limited practice, poor performance, increased anxiety, and further avoidance. This study delves into the cognitive and neural bases of math avoidance behavior in HMA through the lens of reward processing. In Experiment 1, participants reported their satisfaction level in response to the reward provided after solving an arithmetic problem. In Experiment 2, participants weighed the economic benefits against the cognitive costs of solving a calculation problem. This decision-making process was framed in terms of either retaining or losing some monetary reward, creating positive or negative contexts, respectively. Experiment 1 showed that HMA participants were more punishment-sensitive and less satisfied with incorrect answers. Experiment 2 revealed that HMA individuals were less willing to tackle math challenges when their satisfaction dipped after errors. HMAs exhibited increased math avoidance and a notably reduced P3 amplitude in negative contexts, a response unique to the HMA group. HMAs also displayed an elevated feedback-related negativity amplitude in both contexts. This study suggests a potential impairment in reward processing in negative contexts and under negative appraisal among those with high math anxiety.