Neural basis of motivation Flashcards
What is an error detector?
Creates an error signal when the value of the controlled variable does not match the set point
What is a set point?
Maintain a controlled variable within a certain range of desire value
How is controlled variable regulated i Drive reduction theory?
By a feedback dector and comparing the measured value with a desired value/set point
What are the two kinds of control to regulate body temperature?
Intrinsic physiological and Behavioural
What are the three thermoregulatory centres in the Hypothalamus?
- Preoptic region
- Anterior hypothalamic region
- Posterior hypothalmaic area
What occurs to warm neurons as temperature increases?
Firing rate increases
What occurs to cold neurons as temperature decreases?
Firing rate decreases
What is the purpose of satiety?
The absence of hunger
What is the set point theory for hunger and satiety?
The idea of a homeostatic, negative feedback system regulating feeding
What is the Yerkes-Dodson law (1908)?
A relationship between arousal and behavioural task perofrmance exists, such that there is an optimal level of arousal for an optimal performance
How is the Yerkes-Dodson law charterisized?
Inverted-U-shaped function
What does the Inverted-shaped reationshop between arousal and performance show?
The optimum level is higher in a simple task than in a complex task
What is the purpose of Locus Coeruleus (LC) in the brainstem reticular system?
Proivde the principal source of NE innervation to the entire cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amgdala and spinal cord
What is the Locus coreuleus under direct cotnrol of?
Structures responding to stress from the periphery via the vagus nerve and paraventricular neucleus of the hypothalamus
What are the differences between primary and seondary incentives?
Primary incentives are innate
Secondary incentives are learned
What are examples of primary incentives?
Food, Sex
What are the examples of secondary incentives?
Monetary, Cognitive, Social
What are the examples of secondary incentives?
Monetary, Cognitive, Social
What is motivation?
Internal process that activate, guides and maintains behaviour giivng direction and intensity to behaviour and underlies its variability
What are the theories to motivation via the mechanistic approach?
- Drive reduction theory
- Arosual theory
What are the theories to motivation via the cognitive approach?
- Incentive Theory
What is the Instinct theory?
- ## Innate, automatic and unlearned response activated by stimuli/conditions in the enivornment
Problems with the instinct theory?
- Examines only one dimensiion
- Cannot explain learned (secondary) motivation
What is the need of the Drive-reduction theory?
Need for something when lacking something essential for survival
What is the drive for drive-reduction theory?
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
What is the purpose of the drive-reduction theory?
- Maintain homeostasis
What happens to the firing rate in warm neuron as temperature increases?
Firing rate increases
What happens to the firing rate in cold neuron as temperature increases?
Firing rate decreases
What is the aim of arousal theory?
Maintain an optimal level of arousal
What is the Mesolimbic/Mesocortical Dopaminergic Pathway key brain areas?
ventral tegmental area (VTA)
nucleus accumbens (NAc, part of the ventral striatum)
amygdala
orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)
What is the purpose of mesolimbic dopaminergic system?
Thought to gate signals that regulate biological drives and motivation
What does evidence say about dopamine
Contributes causally to incentive salience
What does human experience mean in affective states?
Affective states can be subjectively measured
What happens when motivational state is not met?
Pleasantness levels reduced
What happens when motivation is satisfied ?
Positive affect (e.g pleasure, pleasantness)
Do non humans expeirence affect the same way?
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
What are the substances used in taste reactivity test and their affect?
Saccharine = positive response
Quinine = negative response
Sodium chloride solution = response depends on sodium level in the body
