Neural basis of motivation

Question 1

What is an error detector?

Answer 1

Creates an error signal when the value of the controlled variable does not match the set point

Question 2

What is a set point?

Answer 2

Maintain a controlled variable within a certain range of desire value

Question 3

How is controlled variable regulated i Drive reduction theory?

Answer 3

By a feedback dector and comparing the measured value with a desired value/set point

Question 4

What are the two kinds of control to regulate body temperature?

Answer 4

Intrinsic physiological and Behavioural

Question 5

What are the three thermoregulatory centres in the Hypothalamus?

Answer 5

• Preoptic region
• Anterior hypothalamic region
• Posterior hypothalmaic area

Question 6

What occurs to warm neurons as temperature increases?

Answer 6

Firing rate increases

Question 7

What occurs to cold neurons as temperature decreases?

Answer 7

Firing rate decreases

Question 8

What is the purpose of satiety?

Answer 8

The absence of hunger

Question 9

What is the set point theory for hunger and satiety?

Answer 9

The idea of a homeostatic, negative feedback system regulating feeding

Question 10

What is the Yerkes-Dodson law (1908)?

Answer 10

A relationship between arousal and behavioural task perofrmance exists, such that there is an optimal level of arousal for an optimal performance

Question 11

How is the Yerkes-Dodson law charterisized?

Answer 11

Inverted-U-shaped function

Question 12

What does the Inverted-shaped reationshop between arousal and performance show?

Answer 12

The optimum level is higher in a simple task than in a complex task

Question 13

What is the purpose of Locus Coeruleus (LC) in the brainstem reticular system?

Answer 13

Proivde the principal source of NE innervation to the entire cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amgdala and spinal cord

Question 14

What is the Locus coreuleus under direct cotnrol of?

Answer 14

Structures responding to stress from the periphery via the vagus nerve and paraventricular neucleus of the hypothalamus

Question 15

What are the differences between primary and seondary incentives?

Answer 15

Primary incentives are innate

Secondary incentives are learned

Question 16

What are examples of primary incentives?

Answer 16

Food, Sex

Question 17

What are the examples of secondary incentives?

Answer 17

Monetary, Cognitive, Social

Question 18

What are the examples of secondary incentives?

Answer 18

Monetary, Cognitive, Social

Question 19

What is motivation?

Answer 19

Internal process that activate, guides and maintains behaviour giivng direction and intensity to behaviour and underlies its variability

Question 20

What are the theories to motivation via the mechanistic approach?

Answer 20

• Drive reduction theory
• Arosual theory

Question 21

What are the theories to motivation via the cognitive approach?

Answer 21

• Incentive Theory

Question 22

What is the Instinct theory?

Answer 22

• ## Innate, automatic and unlearned response activated by stimuli/conditions in the enivornment

Question 23

Problems with the instinct theory?

Answer 23

• Examines only one dimensiion
• Cannot explain learned (secondary) motivation

Question 24

What is the need of the Drive-reduction theory?

Answer 24

Need for something when lacking something essential for survival

Question 25

What is the drive for drive-reduction theory?

Answer 25

State of tension or an unpleasant state of arousal caused by the need

• The drive impels the organism to engage in behaviour that will satisfy the need and reducet the tension

Question 26

What is the purpose of the drive-reduction theory?

Answer 26

• Maintain homeostasis

Question 27

What happens to the firing rate in warm neuron as temperature increases?

Answer 27

Firing rate increases

Question 28

What happens to the firing rate in cold neuron as temperature increases?

Answer 28

Firing rate decreases

Question 29

What is the aim of arousal theory?

Answer 29

Maintain an optimal level of arousal

Question 30

What is the Mesolimbic/Mesocortical Dopaminergic Pathway key brain areas?

Answer 30

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

nucleus accumbens (NAc, part of the ventral striatum)

amygdala

orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

Question 31

What is the purpose of mesolimbic dopaminergic system?

Answer 31

Thought to gate signals that regulate biological drives and motivation

Question 32

What does evidence say about dopamine

Answer 32

Contributes causally to incentive salience

Question 33

What does human experience mean in affective states?

Answer 33

Affective states can be subjectively measured

Question 34

What happens when motivational state is not met?

Answer 34

Pleasantness levels reduced

Question 35

What happens when motivation is satisfied ?

Answer 35

Positive affect (e.g pleasure, pleasantness)

Question 36

Do non humans expeirence affect the same way?

Answer 36

We can speculate (but we do not know for sure)

We deduct which affects animals are in, from their behaviour, e.g. taste reactivity test

Question 37

What are the substances used in taste reactivity test and their affect?

Answer 37

Saccharine = positive response

Quinine = negative response

Sodium chloride solution = response depends on sodium level in the body