Differentiating anticipatory and consummatory reward processing in problematic pornography use: An event-related potential analysis of reward dynamics

Problematic pornography use (PPU) is characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled pornography consumption due to a disordered reward processing system. Past studies have shown that reward involves multiple stages, but the connection between these specific stages and PPU remains unclear. In this research, an electrophysiological incentive delay task (IDT) was employed, using both erotic and monetary incentives as rewards, to decompose the distinct phases of both anticipatory and consummatory aspects of reward processing. ERP components linked to reward anticipation (cue-P3 and contingent negative variation, CNV), as well as reward feedback (reward positivity; RewP and feedback-P3; fb-P3), were investigated in a group of 31 individuals with PPU and 33 control participants. In contrast to the control group, who reacted faster to monetary cues, individuals with PPU responded more quickly to erotic cues. RT differences between erotic and monetary cues correlated with CNV amplitudes during anticipation, although no significant CNV differences across groups. In the consummatory phase, controls had higher RewP for large-monetary than large-erotic rewards, not seen in the PPU group. Conversely, the PPU group had increased fb-P3 for large-erotic over large-monetary rewards, a trend absents in controls. Our findings indicate an imbalanced sensitivity in PPU to erotic versus non-erotic rewards, evident in both the anticipatory and consummatory aspects of reward processing. This imbalance could lead to a preference for erotic rewards, possibly fostering addictive sexual behaviors. •Anticipatory and consummatory reward mechanisms involve several distinct phases.•ERP can differentiate between these specific phases of reward processing.•Abnormalities in reward processing in PPU are specific to certain stages.•PPU impacts both the anticipatory and consummatory aspects of reward processing.