Reward Learning Through the Lens of RDoC: a Review of Theory, Assessment, and Empirical Findings in the Eating Disorders

Purpose of Review Reward-related processes may represent important transdiagnostic factors underlying eating pathology. Using the NIMH Research Domain Criteria as a guide, the current article reviews theories, behavioral and self-report assessments, and empirical findings related to reward learning in the eating disorders. Recent Findings Data from behavioral tasks suggest deficits in reinforcement learning, which may become more pronounced with increasing disorder severity and duration. Self-report data strongly implicate positive eating and thinness/restriction expectancies (an element of reward prediction error) in the onset and maintenance of eating pathology. Finally, self-report measures of habit strength demonstrate relationships with eating pathology and illness duration; however, behavioral task data do not support relationships between eating pathology and a propensity towards general habit development. Existing studies are limited, but provide preliminary support for the presence of abnormal reward learning in eating disorders. Continued research is needed to address identified gaps in the literature.

Automated summary

The review discusses how reward-related processes may play a key role in eating pathology across disorders, and reviews theories, assessments, and findings related to reward learning using the NIMH Research Domain Criteria. Deficits in reinforcement learning are suggested by behavioral task data, especially with increasing disorder severity and duration. Self-report data indicate the importance of positive eating and thinness/restriction expectancies in the onset and maintenance of eating pathology.