L2 - Robinson et al., 2015 Flashcards
What is the difference between ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’?
‘Wanting’ refers to unconscious incentive motivation (dopamine-driven), while ‘liking’ is conscious hedonic pleasure (opioid-driven).
What is incentive salience?
The process by which a cue or reward gains motivational significance, driving behavior unconsciously.
What is Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT)?
A phenomenon where conditioned cues (CS) enhance instrumental behavior (reward-seeking), showing cue-triggered ‘wanting.’
What are hedonic hot spots?
Small brain areas in the nucleus accumbens (medial shell) and ventral pallidum responsible for generating ‘liking’ responses.
What neurotransmitter primarily mediates ‘wanting’?
Dopamine.
What neurotransmitters primarily mediate ‘liking’?
Opioids and endocannabinoids.
How is ‘liking’ measured in animal studies?
Through taste reactivity tests, such as rhythmic tongue protrusions in response to sweet tastes.
How is ‘wanting’ measured in animal studies?
Through autoshaping (sign-tracking), Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT), and behavioral reinforcement studies.
What is the function of the nucleus accumbens in motivation?
It plays a key role in both ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ responses, but different subregions process these functions separately.
What is the role of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)?
It is a major source of dopamine, projecting to the nucleus accumbens to modulate ‘wanting.’
What is the function of hedonic hot spots in ‘liking’?
They enhance pleasure when activated by opioids and endocannabinoids.
What is the core idea of the incentive sensitization theory?
Repeated drug use sensitizes the dopamine system, leading to excessive ‘wanting’ even as ‘liking’ declines.
What are the key processes in incentive sensitization?
- Repeated drug use sensitizes the mesolimbic dopamine system.
- The drug and its cues gain increased incentive salience, driving compulsive craving.
- This excessive ‘wanting’ persists even when ‘liking’ decreases.
- Drug-related cues trigger long-term cravings, leading to relapse.
Why is addiction not simply about seeking pleasure?
Addicts continue using drugs even after tolerance reduces pleasure (‘liking’).
Why does the habit formation theory not fully explain addiction?
Because addiction involves excessive ‘wanting,’ not just automatic behavior.
Why does the withdrawal hypothesis fail to explain addiction?
Because relapse occurs even long after withdrawal symptoms disappear.
Why is incentive sensitization a better explanation for addiction?
It explains persistent craving and relapse even after years of abstinence.
How do amphetamines affect dopamine?
They increase dopamine release, heightening ‘wanting’ (incentive salience) without increasing ‘liking’ (pleasure).
What happens to the dopamine system with repeated amphetamine use?
It becomes sensitized, making drug-related cues powerful triggers for craving.
What is cross-sensitization?
When prior exposure to one addictive substance increases responsiveness to another.
What happens to ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ during early drug use?
Both ‘wanting’ (motivation) and ‘liking’ (pleasure) are high.
How do ‘wanting’ and ‘liking’ change with repeated drug use?
‘Wanting’ increases (due to sensitization), but ‘liking’ decreases (due to tolerance).
What happens in full addiction?
‘Wanting’ is exaggerated and compulsive, while ‘liking’ is diminished. Drug cues trigger craving long after stopping drug use.
Why does relapse occur even years after quitting drugs?
Because incentive sensitization lasts for years, making drug-related cues strong triggers.
How does cross-sensitization link drug addiction with food and gambling addiction?
Prior drug use makes individuals more susceptible to compulsive behaviors, such as binge eating or excessive gambling.
What are the common characteristics of addiction?
Persistent drug-seeking despite negative consequences, increased sensitivity to reward cues, craving and relapse triggered by environmental cues, dissociation between ‘wanting’ and ‘liking,’ and compulsive behavior driven by incentive salience.
How does uncertainty enhance addiction risk?
The unpredictable nature of gambling and food rewards heightens incentive salience and dopamine activation.
How does gambling addiction engage the dopamine system?
The uncertainty of winning sensitizes reward circuits, increasing cravings and compulsive behavior.
How does food addiction parallel drug addiction?
Hyper-palatable foods (sugar, fat) trigger the same dopamine responses as drugs, leading to compulsive eating.
How does drug use increase susceptibility to other addictions?
Drugs sensitize the dopamine system, making individuals more responsive to other addictive behaviors (e.g., binge eating, gambling).
What evidence supports cross-sensitization between drugs and food?
Rats sensitized to amphetamines show excessive sugar consumption, indicating overlap in addiction pathways.
What evidence supports cross-sensitization between drugs and gambling?
Problem gamblers show increased dopamine response to amphetamine, similar to drug addicts.
