Neurobiology of Motivated Behaviours - Lecture 1

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in the neurobiology of motivated behaviours, focusing on traditional motivation and learning concepts.

What are the two key features of behaviour that motivation concepts help explain?

1. Variability of behaviour over time when facing a constant stimuli. 2. Short-term stability and directedness of behaviour when obtaining goals or avoiding threats.

What is homeostasis?

Maintenance of a stable internal state, usually means a regulatory system that uses a setpoint.

What are the three components of a homeostatic system?

1. A setpoint, 2. An error detector, 3. An error correction mechanism.

What is the purpose of an error correction mechanism in homeostasis?

To activate appropriate responses that provide negative feedback correcting the deficit.

What are settling points in motivated behaviour?

Stable states caused by a balance of opposing forces without a setpoint or error detection.

What concept is related to homeostasis but involves changing physiological regulation?

Allostasis.

What is anticipatory motivation?

Initiates motivated behaviour before a deficit occurs, often as a conditioned response.

How does anticipatory motivation help maintain stability?

It may create temporary surplus without involving physiological deficit.

What are some examples of anticipatory motivation?

Anticipatory drinking and eating.

What does the settling point theory of hunger suggest?

That body weight has a moderately stable settling point influenced by internal and external factors.

What phenomenon explains the snowball effect of neuroendocrine responses to stress?

Allostasis.

What is the main concern with circularity in motivational explanations?

Explanations can attempt to explain observations in terms of themselves, lacking predictive value.

What is required to escape circularity in motivational concepts?

Using drive or other concepts to make new predictions instead of just restating observations.

What does Teitelbaum suggest is essential for true motivation?

The ability to motivate flexible instrumental behaviour.

What are the two sequential phases of motivated behaviour according to Craig?

1. Appetitive phase, 2. Consummatory phase.

What are the three additional criteria suggested by Epstein to distinguish truly motivated behaviour?

1. Flexible goal directedness, 2. Goal expectation, 3. Affect.

What does opponent process theory suggest about hedonic stimuli?

They activate both a direct hedonic reaction and an opposing process of opposite valence.

What is the a-process in opponent process theory?

The initial response to a stimulus, which almost always initiates the b-process.

What is the implication of the hydraulic drive model?

That internal pressure builds until it bursts through an outlet, expressing drive as behaviour.

What is the limitation of the hydraulic drive model?

Most motivated behaviours do not erupt in the way the model suggests.

What does drive reduction historically refer to?

The idea that reducing physiological drive is the chief mechanism of reward.

What evidence contradicts the drive reduction theory of reward?

Brain stimulation reward studies show that reward is its own motivational phenomenon.

What do hedonic rewards do according to the lecture?

They can cause sudden changes in behaviour and overturn well-established habits.

What did Bolles-Bindra-Toates theory propose regarding motivation?

Organisms are motivated by incentive expectancies, not by drives or drive reduction.

What is alliesthesia?

A change of sensation where the pleasure of hedonic incentives can be modulated by physiological drive states.

What distinction do Berridge & Robinson make regarding rewards?

A split can occur between liking and wanting due to different brain mechanisms for each.