A1 Journal article (refereed)
Neural correlates of acceptance and rejection in online speed dating : An electroencephalography study (2022)

Zhang, X., van der Molen, M. J. W., Otieno, S. C. S. A., He, Z., Leppänen, P. H. T., & Li, H. (2022). Neural correlates of acceptance and rejection in online speed dating : An electroencephalography study. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 22(1), 145-159. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-021-00939-0

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Zhang, Xukai; van der Molen, M. J. W.; Otieno, Susannah C. S. A.; He, Zongling; Leppänen, Paavo H. T.; Li, Hong

Journal or series: Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience

ISSN: 1530-7026

eISSN: 1531-135X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 20/08/2021

Volume: 22

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 145-159

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-021-00939-0

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82945

Additional information: Correction: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-021-00949-y
This article was updated to corrected Hong Li’s affiliations.

Abstract

Pursuing dating relationships is important for many people’s well-being, because it helps them fulfill the need for stable social relationships. However, the neural underpinnings of decision-making processes during the pursuit of dating interactions are unclear. In the present study, we used a novel online speed dating paradigm where participants (undergraduate students, N = 25, aged 18–25 years, 52% female) received direct information about acceptance or rejection of their various speed dates. We recorded EEG measurements during speed dating feedback anticipation and feedback processing stages to examine the stimulus preceding negativity (SPN) and feedback-related brain activity (Reward Positivity, RewP, and theta oscillatory power). The results indicated that the SPN was larger when participants anticipated interest versus disinterest from their speed dates. A larger RewP was observed when participants received interest from their speed dates. Theta power was increased when participants received rejection from their speed dates. This theta response could be source-localized to brain areas that overlap with the physical pain matrix (anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the supplementary motor area). This study demonstrates that decision-making processes—as evident in a speed date experiment—are characterized by distinct neurophysiological responses during anticipating an evaluation and processing thereof. Our results corroborate the involvement of the SPN in reward anticipation, RewP in reward processing and mid-frontal theta power in processing of negative social-evaluative feedback. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the neurocognitive mechanisms implicated in decision-making processes when pursuing dating relationships.

Keywords: dating services; selecting a couple; decision making; stimuli (role related to effect); feedback; cognitive processes; EEG

Free keywords: dating; stimulus preceding negativity; reward positivity; theta oscillation; source localization

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1