Using a combination of behavioral and neuro-physiological methods, this research aimed to explore the impact of competition on cognitive performance concerning both basic functions of attention, working memory, and reasoning, and complex cognition as embodied in reinforcement learning. Eight-six participants were recruited and separated into two groups: a competition group, where they competed against a virtual opponent while performing the cognitive tasks, and a non-competition (normal) group, where they performed the tasks alone.
Funding
Hong Kong Research Grant Council (ECS 27603818, GRF 17609321)
the Seed Fund for Basic Research from the University of Hong Kong (202011159042)