Understanding Effort-Based Decisions: The Role of Domain, Competence, and Enjoyment

Casey, Lee John (2024) Understanding Effort-Based Decisions: The Role of Domain, Competence, and Enjoyment. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Leading motivation theories stipulate that decision-making involves a cost-benefit analysis of potential behaviours. Effort plays an important role in this process by mediating the expected value of candidate tasks. The first two chapters of this thesis concern what effort is, and how it can be measured. I propose effort to reflect a willingness to endure cost, and that measures deriving from behavioural economics are the most intuitive way to quantify this cost function. In the following two chapters I present empirical data. Firstly, I investigate whether physical effort is controlled by different mechanisms to cognitive effort (N = 93). Findings reveal that effort willingness, as measured with an effort discounting task, did not differ between cognitive and physical tasks but instead varies in a dual-task scenario, suggesting that effort relies on a common system. In follow-up factor analyses based on self-reported effort exertion for daily activities (N = 381, 348, 48), we again found weak support for a domain-specific effort. I then investigate the roles of competence and enjoyment for effort willingness, by comparing effort willingness for two versions of the same auditory discrimination task, where sound stimuli were either music or language-related sounds (N = 106). The music-related version was perceived as more enjoyable and engaging, while there was no difference in competence nor subjective value. Notably, perceived, and actual competence predicted effort, unlike enjoyment and engagement. An exploratory factor analysis again on self-reported effort, supported these findings by showing that effort was best classified in terms of perceived competence and task frequency. Finally, I reflect upon and critically review the five studies. I conclude that focus should be placed on competence and experience, rather than whether the task is cognitive, physical, or enjoyable. Future studies should investigate not only effort level, but the plasticity of effort over time.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2025 11:58
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2025 11:58
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98514
DOI:

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