The Effect of Reward and Positive Affect on Memory and Decision-Making

Memory and Decision-making are two highly interrelated cognitive processes. Several studies have demonstrated that reward on the one hand and positive affect on the other bias both memory and decision-making. However, these effects have largely been studied separately and no study has directly compared the effect of reward versus positive affect on both processes. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of positive affect and reward on memory and decision-making within a single design. In the study, participants learned to associate reward and positive affect with novel neutral stimuli (Tibetan characters) through an incidental learning task. Positive affect was induced through viewing pleasant images while reward was provided in the form of points. Participants' preference for reward- and positive affect-associated stimuli were measured through a choice task between pairs of Tibetan characters. Participants' memory was tested using a standard memory recognition test. The results revealed no differences between positive affect and reward's influence on memory and decision-making. Based on the result, reward and positive affect may have a similar effect on both memory and decision making, supporting an intricate link between memory and decision making. Future studies may look at individual differences in susceptibility to reward versus positive affect in modulating memory and decision-making.