Lecture #3

Question 1

• Is the act of trying to convince others that we possess qualities that make us worth having around; that increase our relational value.
• Sometimes we consciously try to manage our BLANKK BLANK, as in a job interview

Answer 1

Impression management or self-presentation

Question 2

Increasing likeability:

Is an attempt to show other people that you like them, often done with flattery or praise.

What concept is this?

Answer 2

Ingratiation

Question 3

People who are less competent have higher relational value.

True or False

Answer 3

False

People who are more competent have higher relational value

Question 4

What is the social Identity theory?

Answer 4

Suggests that we form groups quickly because it increases our self-esteem.

Question 5

This theory says that by belonging to a group, we can say that our existence as part of that group will continue after we’re gone, thus granting us a longer existence symbolically. Belonging to a group allows us to have a legacy.

What theory is this?

Answer 5

Terror Management Theory

Question 6

What is the optimal distinctiveness theory?

What core motives drive the 2 drives?

3pts

Answer 6

We feel a constant tension between two drives:

Assimilation: A desire to be similar to others (driven by belonging(

Differentiation: A desire to feel unique and special (driven by autonomy and competence

Question 7

What is a reaction to loss of belonging?

1pt

Answer 7

Ostracism: when an individual or group ignores, rejects or excludes someone.

Question 8

BLANK in elders is associated with poorer cognitive functioning and memory 4 years later

Fill in the blank.

Answer 8

Loneliness

Question 9

Being excluded caused activation in the BLANK, which is also activated by looking at pictures of your ex or burning your arm.

Which region of the brain is this referring to?

Answer 9

Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)

Question 10

What does dopamine have to do with the reward pathways in the brain?
What is a reward system?

3pts

Answer 10

-Reward pathways activate (dopamine is activated in the VTA) when we experience something rewarding like drugs, sex, eating tasty food etc

• Dopamine is mostly produced in the Ventral tegmentum area, located within the midbrain
• Once produced in the VTA, dopamine is transported to other areas of the brain, through different pathways, two main ones being the mesolimbic and mesocorticol dopamine pathways

Question 11

Explain what happens to dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway?

3pts

Answer 11

• after dopamine is activated in the VTA, it is then projected to the NAc via the mesolimbic pathway which increases the levels of dopamine

-NAc is strongly associated with motivation and reward (also associated with amydala-emotions and hippocampus-memory)

• Activation of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway tells us to repeat what just happened in order to feel the rewarding sensation

Question 12

Since the BLANK BLANK has circuits with the BLANK, a region of the limbic system associated with emotions, this attributes feelings towards the experienced reward.

For instance, after eating nice food, the BLANK contributes to our feelings of enjoyment and happiness as a result.

Connections of the BLANK BLANK to the BLANK, a region involved in memory, would help attribute memory and learning to the reward

Answer 12

-Nucleus Accumbens, amygdala

-amygdala

• Nucleus Accumbens, Hippocampus

Question 13

Explain Dopamine in the Mesocortical Pathway?

What are the frontal lobes responsible for?

3pts

Answer 13

• Dopamine travels to this region then to the cerebral cortex, more specifically the frontal lobes
• Frontal lobes are responsible for high cognitive function, thinking, planning, and motivation

-Activation of this region brings about the conscious experience of the pleasure and reward being experienced

Question 14

Break down the reward pathway into 5 steps?

5pts

Answer 14

1. Perception of rewarding stimulus
2. Activation of the VTA
3. Dopamine transmissions to the NAc
4. Reinforcement learning and behavioral response
5. Feedback

Question 15

In step 4: Reinforcement learning and behavioral response:

After the rewarding experience, the BLANK cortex (which plays a role in decision-making and planning) assesses the entire event. It connects the pleasure from the BLANK with the original stimulus and the action taken.
The stronger the BLANK response in the NAc, the stronger the reinforcement signal sent to the prefrontal cortex and other areas responsible for BLANK and BLANK.
As a result, the individual becomes more inclined to seek out or engage in that specific behavior or context in anticipation of the BLANK.

Over time, through repeated exposures, this leads to learned behaviors or BLANK.

Fill in the blanks.

Answer 15

• Prefrontal
• NAc
• Pleasurable
• Memory
• Behavior
• Reward
• Habits

Question 16

Serotonin is an essential neurotransmitter associated with feelings of BLANK.

Fill in the blank.

Answer 16

Happiness

Question 17

What are the dopamine levels like for someone with ADHD?

Answer 17

Higher density of dopamine transporters but lowered dopamine levels in the brain