Anorexia nervosa as a model for increased volitional control: intrinsic value of effort, behavioral auto-maticity and real life implications (C03)

• Subject Area: Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience ; Biological Psychiatry ; Developmental and Educational Psychology ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178833530

While most research focuses on negative consequences of insufficient self-control, project C03 investigates anorexia nervosa (AN) as a putative model disorder for adverse consequences of excessive “over-control”. We combine behavioral and fMRI-tasks and experience sampling to investigate altered decision-making in AN patients and to test whether they may experience effortful self-control as intrinsically more rewarding. In addition, we will investigate whether self-controlled behavior in AN patients may also reflect an increased tendency to let behavior by guided by habits. To investigate the potential costs of excessive control, treatment outcome after one year will be assessed.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 940: Volition and Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators and Dysfunctions
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Project Heads: Dr. Ilka Boehm, since 7/2020; Professor Stefan Ehrlich, Ph.D.