Delusional self-confidence? Trait perseverance is associated with increased brain activity reflecting confidence about own performance in a dot random motion task

Most people perform best when being moderately challenged, while their motivation drops for very easy or very difficult tasks. We investigated the impact of task difficulty on task engagement, mood state, and the P3 component of the event-related brain potential (ERPs) reflecting the formation of confidence about performance. A group of young adults completed a random dot motion task with easy, moderate, and difficult blocks. We analyzed possible moderation effects of personality traits and self-regulation, as they explain tendencies to keep consistent motivation and persevere despite difficulties. Results showed, contrary to hypotheses, a benefit in mood and engagement when the task was easy rather than moderate or difficult. Interestingly, low perseverance predicted confidence about own performance when the task was easy, as evidenced in larger P3 amplitude. In contrast, participants scoring high in perseverance showed greater confidence in their responses in the difficult condition. Results did not support an explanation in terms of affect regulation. We propose that uncertainty about one's own ability could activate top-down confidence in persevering individuals, and the belief that if they work hard, will eventually succeed. This top-down confidence in the brain may be the source of the sustained effort characteristic of perseverance. • High perseverance is associated with more confidence about own performance when the task difficult. • Task difficulty seems to activate top-down confidence in the brain in persevering individuals. • Trait openness predicted engagement in the task, irrespective of task difficulty. • Learning from mistakes is associated with faster reaction times.