The Effects Of Reward And Punishment On Task Switching Of Heroin Abstainers

Relapse problem has always been the biggest problem facing the current drug practice.Substance addiction is regarded as a reward disorders and executive dysfunction.Previous studies have focused on drugs or drug-related cues as triggers to explore the relationship between reward processing and executive function in addicts.Few studies have examined the relationship between monetary rewards and punishments and task switching.However,one of the significant behavioral manifestations among drug addicts is that they tend to indulge in some special situations,such as the physiological or psychological pleasure brought by drugs,and they have difficulty in transferring attention to other life events in time,which may be closely related to impaired task switching.Based on this,the abstinent heroin users as the research object,respectively to investigate the influence of different monetary rewards and punishments magnitude of task switching.In experiment 1,a task switching paradigm was used to investigate the behavioral characteristics of the abstinent heroin users.32 male heroin abstainers and 32 male normal subjects were selected.There was no significant difference in age and years of education between the two groups.The results showed that: the abstinent heroin users switching cost significantly more than the normal control group.In experiment 2,investigate the behavioral characteristics of task switching in the abstinent heroin users with different monetary rewards magnitude.36 male heroin abstainers and 32 male normal subjects were selected.There was no significant difference in age and years of education between the two groups.The results showed that:(1)the switching cost of one-yuan reward is significantly less than that of one-penny reward.;(2)the abstinent heroin users under a one-yuan reward rate switching cost significantly less than a one-penny reward,normal control group in a one-yuan reward and a one-penny reward by the switching cost with no significant difference.In experiment 3,investigate the behavioral characteristics of task switching in the abstinent heroin users with different monetary punishments magnitude.42 male heroin abstainers and 35 male normal subjects were selected.There was no significant difference in age and years of education between the two groups.The results showed that:(1)the switching cost of one-yuan punishment is significantly less than that of one-penny punishment.(2)the abstinent heroin users under a one-yuan punishment rate switching cost significantly less than a one-penny punishment,normal control group in a one-yuan punishment and a one-point punishment by the switching cost with no significant difference.Through analysis and discussion,the conclusions are drawn that the abstinent heroin users have task switching disorders,need more time to complete the switch task,and rewards and punishment motivation can promote individual cognitive behavior.Compared with normal subjects,the abstinent heroin users is more motivated under high amplitude of rewards and punishments.Higher monetary rewards and punishments encourage individuals put in more effort.The results can provide scientific experimental basis and effective method guidance for future clinical practice.