Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
apathy, psychomotor, performance monitoring, depression
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex mood disorder characterized by negative affect, psychomotor slowing, heightened levels of apathy, and a variety of cognitive deficits (Austin, Mitchell, & Goodwin, 2001). These characteristic symptoms putatively reflect underlying neurological irregularities, such as aberrant connectivity and decreased blood flow to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex—areas involved in cognitive control. Specifically, these areas regulate performance monitoring, part of the cognitive control process used to detect errors and adjust performance (Taylor, Stern, & Gehring, 2007; Videbech, 2000). Psychomotor retardation and increased levels of apathy may alter motivation to monitor and correct errors, disrupting normal performance monitoring (Salamone, Correa, Mingote, Weber, & Farrar, 2006).
Recommended Citation
Clawson, Ann and Larson, Dr. Michael
(2013)
"The Effects of Apathy and Psychomotor Slowing on Performance Monitoring in Depression,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 555.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/555