Chapter 5 Flashcards
The Brain’s Big Lie: Why We Mistake Wanting for Happiness
How does the reward system influence our actions?
When the brain detects a reward opportunity, it releases dopamine, which directs attention and encourages us to seek out the rewarding experience.
What feeling does a dopamine rush create?
A dopamine rush creates feelings of arousal, alertness, and anticipation, rather than happiness or satisfaction.
What recent terms do neuroscientists use to describe the effects of dopamine release?
Neuroscientists refer to the effects of dopamine release using terms like seeking, wanting, craving, and desire.
What happens to a rat’s behavior if its dopamine system is destroyed?
Even without dopamine, a rat may enjoy sugar when fed, but it won’t work to receive the treat, indicating that dopamine is essential for action, not just pleasure.
What classic experiment demonstrated conditioned responses related to dopamine?
When dogs were conditioned with a bell before being fed, they salivated upon hearing the bell, illustrating how anticipation triggers a physiological response related to reward.
How does dopamine affect our perception of rewards?
Dopamine activates anticipation of rewards, prompting action to secure them. The excitement of potential rewards registers in different brain areas than the joy of receiving the rewards
What role does the promise of happiness play in survival according to evolution?
Evolution uses the promise of happiness to motivate behavior, keeping us engaged in activities crucial for survival, like hunting and gathering, rather than focusing on happiness itself.
What types of experiences get you excited or “salivating” like Pavlov’s dogs?
Experiences like delicious food, engaging videos, or social interactions can evoke strong dopamine responses, leading to obsessive behaviors.
How does dopamine affect our behavior during a reward-seeking mission?
Dopamine can make us risk-taking, impulsive, and lead to an out-of-control version of ourselves while pursuing rewards.
What keeps us hooked even when a reward doesn’t arrive?
The promise of a reward, combined with rising anxiety about stopping, is often enough to keep us engaged and seeking the reward, even if it never comes.
How does dopamine influence susceptibility to temptation?
When dopamine is released from one reward, it makes us more vulnerable to other temptations, increasing the allure of immediate gratification and diminishing our concern for long-term consequences.
What do grocery stores do to exploit our dopamine response?
Grocery stores place tempting merchandise front and center and often offer free samples to put shoppers in a reward-seeking state of mind, leveraging the promises of “Free” and “Food.”
What effect do food and drink samples in grocery stores have on shoppers?
Samples make shoppers feel hungrier and thirstier, increasing the likelihood of purchasing indulgent foods and items on sale, even if they initially resist the temptation.
How does novelty affect our brain’s reward system?
The reward system in our brain responds to novelty and variety; dopamine neurons become less responsive to familiar rewards, such as a daily coffee or favorite meal.
How does the promise of reward affect our behavior regarding risks?
Our reward system gets more excited about potential big wins than guaranteed smaller rewards, motivating actions like playing the lottery instead of saving money.
What strategy can you use to motivate yourself to tackle unpleasant tasks?
Link unpleasant tasks to activities that stimulate dopamine release, such as listening to uplifting music, to boost motivation while working on the task.
What approach can help you combine tasks with mood-enhancing activities?
Find ways to produce endorphins and pair them with tasks you tend to procrastinate on, making the tasks more enjoyable and easier to tackle.
What is a common emotional experience when we’re in a state of wanting?
The promise of reward can be both delightful and stressful, as desire doesn’t always make us feel good; it can also lead to feelings of anxiety or unhappiness
What is dopamine’s primary function?
Dopamine’s main role is to drive us to pursue happiness, rather than to create happiness itself, sometimes causing pressure and discomfort in the process.
What are the two “weapons” the reward system uses to motivate us?
The reward system uses the promise of reward (the “carrot”) and the release of stress hormones (the “stick”) to motivate desire and action.
How does dopamine trigger stress in addition to desire?
Dopamine activates brain areas that release stress hormones, causing anxiety as we anticipate our desires, making them feel urgent and essential for survival.
How can understanding your feelings about a reward help you?
Understanding how a reward makes you feel allows you to make smarter decisions about whether and how to “reward” yourself effectively.
What does it mean if shopping is more exciting than actually making a purchase?
If the act of shopping is more thrilling than buying, it highlights the importance of being aware of what truly makes you happy and how you define rewards.
What common mistake do we make regarding the experience of wanting?
We often confuse the experience of wanting with a sure promise of happiness, failing to distinguish between the two. what you want will not necessarily make you happy.
How does the promise of reward influence our behavior?
The promise of reward is powerful enough that it drives us to pursue things that don’t lead to happiness and consume items that may cause more misery than satisfaction.
What is the “carrot and stick” trick related to dopamine?
Dopamine creates excitement for the reward (the carrot) while also inducing anxiety about not yet having it (the stick)
What happens when you give in to a temptation related to rewards?
Giving in alleviates the anxiety produced by the promise of reward, but often leaves you feeling frustrated, unsatisfied, or disappointed afterward.
How can paying close attention to false rewards change your experience?
When you focus on the actual experience of false rewards, it can reduce their allure, allowing your brain to adjust expectations about happiness and satisfaction.
What do overeaters often realize when they slow down and experience food during cravings?
They often find that the food looks and smells better than it tastes, highlighting that the thing they sought for happiness can be a major source of their misery.
What should you consider before seeking dopamine-suppressing drugs?
Consider the benefits of the promise of reward; while wanting can lead to trouble, eliminating it entirely may lead to a less fulfilling life.
What is the downside of a life without wants?
A life without wants may require less self-control, but it may also lack meaning and fulfillment, making it not worth living.
What happens to a person experiencing anhedonia?
A person with anhedonia loses the ability to feel pleasure, leading to a lack of motivation and hope, experiencing life as dull habits without satisfaction.
How does anhedonia affect daily activities?
People with anhedonia may engage in activities like eating, shopping, and socializing, but they do not anticipate any pleasure from these experiences.
What is the impact of a lack of desire on motivation?
Without the expectation of pleasure, individuals lose motivation, making it difficult to engage in daily tasks, such as getting out of bed.
What do studies show about the brain’s reward system in depressed individuals?
Research indicates that the reward system in depressed people struggles to sustain activation, leading to a diminished sense of “want” and effort towards achieving rewards.
What is the psychological term for the condition of being “without pleasure”?
The condition is called anhedonia, which refers to a state where individuals do not expect or feel pleasure from activities they once enjoyed.
