Understanding Motivation and the Brain

• Volition is the conscious decision to act

• Habit is a sequence of repeated actions that become automatic

• The unconscious mind is the part of our mind that we are largely unaware of

• Motivation is the force that drives us to act

• Motivation can be explained through the concepts of habit and the law of effect

• Motivation is often driven by our unconscious mind

• Theories of motivation have evolved over time, with the cognitive revolution in the second half of the 20th century repealing many behaviorist dogmas.

• The motivation behind behavior is what gets rewarded, and this is based on the theory of reinforcement learning.

• Behaviorism is the dominant philosophy of American experimental psychology in the first half of the 20th century, but it is largely marginalized today.

• The motivation behind behavior is based on the theory of reinforcement learning, which is the study of how behaviors are learned and reinforced.

• Behaviorism is still powerful in understanding motivation, as the empirical evidence gathered when it held sway has remained powerful.

• The brain is made up of neurons that connect to each other with spindly axons and dendrites.

• Neurons signal via action potentials, little pulses of electricity.

• The frequency of pulses can be sped up or slowed down depending on the strength of response.

• Neurons communicate over synapses.

• Different networks in the brain use different neurotransmitters.

• The neurotransmitter dopamine is important for predicting rewards.

• The dopamine network is involved in taking action.

• The motor loop helps us to control our actions by preventing other actions from being performed at the same time.

• The motor loop is a series of connections between different parts of the brain, including the cortex, basal ganglia, and substantia nigra.

• The motor loop is important for movements of the body, but it also exists for signals from different parts of the cortex.

• The dopamine network plays a central role in motivation, but it's not just involved in pleasure.

• The dopamine network is important for predicting rewards, and it also helps us to desire rewards.

Test your knowledge of motivation, habit, behaviorism, and the brain's role in decision-making and actions. Explore the concepts of reinforcement learning, neurotransmitters, and the motor loop.