Subjectively perceived control drives affective, neural, and motivational markers of self-related outcome valuation

Abstract Experiencing one’s own life as controllable is essential for human well-being. Based on the theory that subjectively perceived control (SPC) hinges on the attribution of events to the self, we test the effects of SPC on the affective evaluation of task outcomes, neural dynamics, and ensuing behavioral preferences. In three independent studies we show that SPC increases dynamics in self-evaluative affect and engages brain networks processing self-referential information in the cortical midline. Specifically, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks both outcome value and SPC and covaries with self-evaluative affect. Furthermore, high SPC and greater affective dynamics relate to greater functional coupling between the ventral striatum and cortical midline structures during outcome consumption. Finally, we show that these affective reactions promote motivation and the subjective value of controllable tasks. Our investigations emphasize the importance of subjective models of how behavior leads to desired outcomes for positive affect and intrinsic motivation.