Reward sensitivity, motivation, and risk behaviors in healthy young adults

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the associations between different motivational systems and behavior in young adults.

Visit the REP study site

What will this study involve?

You will make one, 3-hour visit to our laboratory in Elliott Hall. You will complete questionnaires and behavioral tasks.

  • The questionnaires will ask about your demographic background, your health history, aspects of your personality, mood and behavior, and your engagement in risk-taking behaviors including substance use.
  • During some of the tasks, you will make decisions and respond to various stimuli using a computer. Others involve trying to remember things. You may find some tasks more difficult than others. It is this way for everyone.

  • All information you provide to us is confidential. 

We will take breaks as needed during the course of the session.

Who can participate?

Adults ages 18-22 who:

  • Are students in a psychology course at the U of M offering REP points as extra credit 
  • Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
  • Have no mobility limitations that involve the hands and fingers
  • Do not have any diagnosed mental illnesses such as ADHD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or OCD
  • Are not taking any prescription medications that affect the brain
  • Are physically healthy
  • Are native English speakers

This list is not exhaustive. To confirm your eligibility, please contact the study team.

If you have ever taken an anti-depressant medication, you cannot participate in this study.

How am I compensated?

You will receive 7 REP points for completing this study. If you do not complete the full session, you will receive 1 point for each half hour. If we go over the 3-hour mark and you agree to continue participating, you will be given an additional REP point (totaling 8).

You also have the opportunity to earn a small amount of cash (no more than $15) based on your performance on some of the computerized tasks.

Study Team

  • Principle Investigator: Monica Luciana, PhD
  • Primary research staff: Peter M. Grund, BS

Contact

For questions about this study or to verify your eligibility, please email or call us:

 

Last Updated: 7/14/2023