Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
Research Participation Advertisement
Project Title: Neural and cognitive studies of reward sensitivity and
its influence on cognitive control performance
Investigators:
Ms Bianca Levis and A/Prof Rob Hester
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
Project Description:
We are looking for participants to take part in a scientific research study.
We are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take images of the brain and measure brain activity. We are trying to examine how reward and punishment are processed in the brain and how these brain responses influence subsequent adaptation of behaviour.
How is our behaviour and brain activity influenced by monetary reward and punishment?
Many of Australia’s major social and economic problems (e.g., obesity, addiction, road traffic accidents) have been linked to heightened sensitivity for reward, yet it is not well understood how reward sensitivity influences the brain mechanisms underlying critical behaviours such as impulse control. We will examine how different brain areas respond during feedback and the relationship between this response and subsequent post-feedback behaviour changes.
What will I have to do?
The experiment will be conducted over three sessions, usually on different days, each taking around one to two hours. To determine eligibility for the study you will also initially be asked to fill out a number of questionnaires over the internet.
In the first session conducted within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, you will view a series of words, single letters or numbers displayed on a computer screen and you will be asked to make simple judgements about the images that you see. You will also be asked to complete a few questionnaires. In the second and third sessions, you will do the computer tasks inside the MRI scanner while we take images of your brain. This session will be conducted at the MRI scanner based within the Murdoch Research Institute (Royal Children’s Hospital), Flemington. This will allow us to measure changes in activity in different parts of your brain as you look at the images and make your judgements.
You will be reimbursed $10 per hour for the first session and $20 per hour for the second and third sessions. You will also receive additional payment commensurate with performance on tasks providing monetary rewards and be provided with a disc containing images of your brain.
MRI Brain Imaging
MRI is a standard procedure for taking images or pictures of the brain. MRI scanning is completely safe for people who have no metal in their body. During a MRI scan you lie on your back on a bed that moves into the tunnel of the MRI scanner. Each scanning session should take around two hours, including practicing the tasks and setting-up time in the MRI scanner.
For further information or to take part in the study, please contact:
Bianca Levis, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
Email: b.levis@student.unimelb.edu.au
- or -
A/Prof Rob Hester, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne,
Phone: 8344 0222 | Email: hesterr@unimelb.edu.au