PSYCH 3M03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Medial Forebrain Bundle, Glucocorticoid Receptor, Medulla Oblongata
29 Jun 2018
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Psych 3M03: Motivation and Emotion
Chapter 12 – Motivation to Learn
Exploration
Most animals explore new environments
Food, water, shelter, possible dangers must be sought out and evaluated
Individual differences
Recall open field activity in mice (some explore, others defecate)
Play
Seen in many mammalian species, especially K-selected
Primates, carnivores, marine mammals, even ungulates and rodents
Defined as inefficient behaviour without apparent immediate direct benefit or clear goals
Adaptive Value of Play
Costs
Energy expenditure, risk of injury
Possibly attracts predator attention
Benefits
Strengthens muscles
Potentiates social learning (competition, emotional expression, multiple skill acquisition)
Expression of Play
Rhesus monkeys display a ‘play face’ before engaging in aggressive rough and tumble play
Posturing, wrestling, chasing, and avoidance serve as practice for adult life
Some primates (especially humans) incorporate tool use in play
Physiology of Play
Lesioning the ventromedial hypothalamus will reduce play
Large lesions to the hippocampus, the amygdala, the cerebellum, the lateral hypothalamus
will all reduce play behaviour
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Document Summary
Food, water, shelter, possible dangers must be sought out and evaluated. Recall open field activity in mice (some explore, others defecate) Primates, carnivores, marine mammals, even ungulates and rodents. Defined as inefficient behaviour without apparent immediate direct benefit or clear goals. Potentiates social learning (competition, emotional expression, multiple skill acquisition) Rhesus monkeys display a play face" before engaging in aggressive rough and tumble play. Posturing, wrestling, chasing, and avoidance serve as practice for adult life. Some primates (especially humans) incorporate tool use in play. Large lesions to the hippocampus, the amygdala, the cerebellum, the lateral hypothalamus will all reduce play behaviour. Rats prefer regions of cage where electrodes deliver mild pulses to brain. Animals work for brief pulses of electricity contingent on response. Demonstrated in all species examined, including monkeys, cats, humans. Highest rates in lateral hypothalamus, region traversed by the medial forebrain bundle. Local interference with dopaminergic systems disrupt electrical brain reward.
