Dissecting Research Papers Series:
Tenacity and Will-power

By Falak Maan

Improving academic achievement, career opportunities and health outcomes are all desires that we share. Generally, we try and improve these prospects through higher effort and focus in our pursuits. But what pushes us to work hard to get better life outcomes?

Recent research has shown that the Anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC) plays a key role. Specifically, this research paper by Touroutoglou et al. (2020) looked at research into non-human primate neuroanatomy and structural and functional neuroimaging in humans to find that the aMCC performs the cost/benefit calculations required for ‘tenacity’. Tenacity is defined as a pattern of behaviour and bias that allows a greater focus on the potential rewards of a task and less effort on the costs. This brain region calculates the energy requirements for attention allocation, information encoding and physical movement, all in service of completing a goal. This research paper’s findings have implications for educational achievement, exercise, eating disorders, successful ageing and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and dementia.

[aMCC shown in the black circle (Touroutoglou et al., 2012)]

Due to this brain region playing such a diverse role across tasks, it’s included in the “multiple demand network” and seen to play an integrative role across various brain systems. Its position in the network hub, allows the aMCC to synchronise information across diverse systems and increase the efficiency of energy allocation towards tasks. However, when we consider the variability in the brain region between individuals, we see differences in behaviour. When tasks get harder and costs increase, certain individuals with lower tenacity are more likely to quit, while others are more likely to persist.

There are a few hypotheses around why we have a brain region, like the aMCC, calculating and modulating efforts towards tasks. One is that it ensures we are optimally using our finite resources and another states that it’s due to management of opportunity costs so we choose the most lucrative goals. On the other hand, the current research paper posits that the aMCC regulates effort allocation for allostasis, which is the maintenance of a perceived internal equilibrium of energy in response to environmental demands. This means that calculations around possible rewards and costs of behaviour are in part determined by the individual’s current and future energy state. Tenacity itself is seen as a bias in the aMCC calculations, where higher tenacity correlates with a tendency to focus more on the potential rewards and less on the cost of effort while estimating that one’s resources are sufficient or greater than required to meet the demands of the task, even if untrue.

Narrowing down on this paper’s analysis of prior research into tenacity and academic/professional success, we see that aMCC activation may contribute to increased achievement associated with higher tenacity levels. For example, one 2017 study by Wang et al, demonstrated a link between aMCC activation and academic performance, where random aMCC activation was correlated with higher tenacity and academic performance.

Additional studies have also shown high levels of synaptic plasticity in the aMCC brain region. Furthermore, there is evidence that the aMCC can be trained in the domains of exercise. This points to the implication that actively engaging in behaviours that challenge one’s ability to use tenacity can cause an increase in the brain region’s efficacy. This may help individuals push through challenging situations and attain better academic and career outcomes.

Found that interesting? Here are some multiple-choice questions based on this paper to see how much you remember: 

1 . What is the primary function of the Anterior Mid Cingulate-Cortex (aMCC), according to the research discussed?

A) Emotional regulation

B) Cost/benefit calculations for tenacity

C) Visual processing

D) Motor coordination

2 . According to the research paper by Touroutoglou et al. (2020), what does the aMCC regulate effort allocation for?

A) Maximizing financial gains

B) Maintaining internal energy equilibrium

C) Minimizing social interactions

D) Optimizing leisure activities

3 . How does the research paper suggest individuals can potentially increase the efficacy of the aMCC?

A) By engaging in activities that challenge their cognitive abilities

B) By reducing their workload and stress levels

C) By increasing their social interactions

D) By consuming certain dietary supplements