Psychology Impulsiveness and Behavior Analysis
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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between impulsive action and impulsive choice?

  • Impulsive action involves quick responses, while impulsive choice involves careful decision-making.
  • Impulsive action is a failure to inhibit an inappropriate response, while impulsive choice focuses on immediate rewards over delayed ones. (correct)
  • Impulsive action refers to decisions made without thought, while impulsive choice always involves risk-taking.
  • Impulsive action results in positive outcomes, while impulsive choice leads to negative outcomes.

Which of the following behaviors is an example of impulsive action?

  • Choosing to watch television instead of studying for an exam.
  • Laughing at a funeral. (correct)
  • Deferring a payment for future savings.
  • Eating dessert before dinner.

How does early exposure to gambling affect impulsiveness in rats?

  • It leads to better decision-making overall.
  • It increases impulsive action. (correct)
  • It has no significant effect.
  • It decreases the likelihood of impulsive actions.

What is a characteristic of impulsive choice influenced by cocaine in gambling-exposed rats?

<p>Increased impulsive choice for small immediate rewards. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does repeated drug use have on the brain's mesolimbic pathway?

<p>It modifies dopamine levels, altering reward response. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do ventromedial prefrontal cortex lesions affect patients' impulsiveness?

<p>They result in cognitive impulsiveness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes impulsive choice accurately?

<p>It involves decisions favoring immediate gratification over delayed benefits. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is expected from late life exposure to gambling in terms of impulsiveness after cocaine use?

<p>Increased impulsive choice despite improved decision-making. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does dopamine play in the reward center of the brain?

<p>It encodes a reward prediction/error signal. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of prolonged drug use on the brain?

<p>Enhanced reactivity to drug cues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes risk-seeking behavior in rats?

<p>Risk-seeking rats display increased impulsive choice behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to dopamine neuron activity when an individual predicts a reward?

<p>Activity increases significantly. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do drugs of abuse affect dopamine surges in the brain?

<p>They trigger abnormally large surges of dopamine. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does drug use have on the brain's sensitivity to stressful stimuli?

<p>The brain becomes more sensitive to stressful stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic change in the brain after repeated drug use?

<p>Enhanced ability for self-control. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does increased dopamine activity have on expected rewards?

<p>It aids in learning to expect rewards before they are given. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the brain's sensitivity to drug cues after repeated drug use?

<p>It enhances reactivity to drug cues (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do drugs have on the brain's capability of self-control?

<p>They interfere with the brain’s capacity for self-control (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the behavioral effect of blunted dopamine and increased cravings in cocaine addicts?

<p>They continue to seek more cocaine (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is primarily associated with the reward system affected by drug use?

<p>Nucleus accumbens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After prolonged use of drugs, how does the brain's reaction to non-drug rewards change?

<p>It reduces sensitivity to non-drug rewards (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the cravings of cocaine abusers compared to non-users?

<p>Cocaine abusers have stronger cravings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding long-term drug use is true?

<p>The brain desensitizes to certain stimuli over time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of increased sensitivity to stressful stimuli due to drug use?

<p>Heightened risk of depression and anxiety (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which category of impulsiveness refers to failure to inhibit an inappropriate response?

<p>Impulsive action (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does early exposure to gambling specifically affect impulsive action in rats?

<p>Increases impulsive action (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cocaine have on impulsive choice in rats with late exposure to gambling?

<p>Increases impulsive choice (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of impulsive choice?

<p>Sleeping in rather than attending class (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one common behavioral example of impulsive action?

<p>Laughing inappropriately at a solemn event (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes impulsive choice in the context of decision-making?

<p>Choosing immediate gratification over long-term benefits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is linked to cognitive impulsiveness, particularly in patients with lesions?

<p>Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between impulsiveness and drug abuse regarding dopamine changes?

<p>Impulsiveness can be linked to alterations in dopamine regulation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of risk-seeking behavior in rats?

<p>They display more impulsive choice. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do drugs of abuse alter dopamine activity in the brain?

<p>They trigger abnormally large surges of dopamine. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What change occurs in the brain's sensitivity to non-drug rewards after prolonged drug use?

<p>Decreased sensitivity to non-drug rewards. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does repeated drug use have on the brain's capacity for self-control?

<p>It interferes with the brain's capacity for self-control. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the brain’s reaction to stressful stimuli due to drug use?

<p>It becomes more sensitive to stressful stimuli. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dopamine in the reward center when predicting a reward?

<p>Dopamine encodes a reward prediction/error signal. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What general effect do drugs have on the brain's reaction to drug cues?

<p>The brain enhances its reactivity to drug cues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the brain after prolonged drug use in terms of its structural changes?

<p>The brain rewires and adapts to repeated use. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the brain's sensitivity to non-drug rewards after repeated drug use?

<p>It decreases over time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of repeated drug use on dopamine signaling?

<p>Dopamine signaling is blunted. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary behavioral outcome of cocaine addiction as per the changes in brain function?

<p>Cocaine addicts lose interest in other rewarding stimuli. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which brain regions are primarily implicated in the reaction to drug cues?

<p>Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cravings in cocaine abusers compare to non-drug users?

<p>Cocaine abusers often crave more intensely than controls. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What change does the brain undergo with prolonged use of drugs in relation to stress stimuli?

<p>The brain becomes more sensitive to stressful stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents a consequence of long-term drug use on self-control mechanisms in the brain?

<p>Drugs interfere with the brain’s capacity for self-control. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the brain’s response to drug cues typically change after repeated drug exposure?

<p>It shows enhanced sensitivity to drug cues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Impulsive Action

Failure to inhibit an inappropriate response. It's acting without thinking.

Impulsive Choice

Impulsive decision-making choosing smaller immediate rewards over larger later rewards.

Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (vmPFC) lesions

Damage to this brain region can lead to cognitive impulsiveness.

Rat Gambling Task (rGT)

A test used to measure impulsive choice in rats, involving the choice between smaller-faster and larger-slower rewards.

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Risk-averse rats

Rats that tend to prefer smaller, certain rewards over larger, risky rewards in the rGT.

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Risk-seeking rats

Rats that tend to prefer larger, risky rewards over smaller, certain rewards in the rGT.

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Mesolimbic pathway

A brain pathway important for reward and motivation, affected by drugs of abuse.

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Brain changes after drug use

Repeated drug use alters brain structures & functions, increasing risk for addiction.

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Sensation Seeking and Risk-Taking Rats

Rats that exhibit impulsive choice behavior and do not develop stable patterns of preference when seeking rewards.

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Dopamine's Role in Reward Prediction

Dopamine encodes a reward prediction error, signaling when a reward is anticipated but not necessarily when it's received.

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Drug-Induced Dopamine Surge

Drugs of abuse trigger abnormally large increases in dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens.

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Brain Plasticity and Drug Use

Prolonged drug use changes the brain's structure and function, making it more responsive to drug cues and less responsive to natural rewards.

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Enhanced Drug Cues

The brain becomes highly sensitive to cues associated with the drug.

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Reduced Sensitivity to Non-Drug Rewards

The brain becomes less responsive to rewards that are not associated with the drug use.

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Impaired Self-Control from Drugs

Drugs interfere with the brain's ability to manage impulses and make thoughtful decisions.

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Increased Stress Reactivity from Drugs

Drugs make the brain more sensitive to stress and negative emotional states (dysphoria).

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Drug Use and Brain Changes

Repeated drug use alters the brain's reactivity to drugs and rewards, impacting self-control and sensitivity to stress.

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Drug Cue Reactivity

The brain becomes more responsive to cues associated with drugs, increasing the likelihood of drug use.

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Reduced Sensitivity to Rewards

The brain becomes less sensitive to non-drug rewards, making it harder to find satisfaction in normal activities.

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Impaired Self-Control

Drugs interfere with the brain's ability to regulate its own behaviors and decisions, leading to impulsive drug use.

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Increased Stress Sensitivity

Drug use makes the brain more sensitive to stressful situations and negative emotions, exacerbating the tendency to use drugs.

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Desensitization with Longer Use

Prolonged drug use eventually leads to the brain decreasing responsiveness to drugs themselves, despite stronger cravings.

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Blunted Dopamine in Cocaine Use

In cocaine addicts, the brain's dopamine response is lessened, leading to compulsive craving for more cocaine.

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Compulsive Drug Use

Despite decreased dopamine release, cocaine addicts repeatedly crave the drug to regain a sense of pleasure.

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Risk-averse vs. risk-seeking rats

Risk-averse rats prefer smaller, certain rewards over larger, uncertain rewards. Risk-seeking rats prefer larger, uncertain rewards.

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How do drugs affect the mesolimbic pathway?

Drugs of abuse hijack the mesolimbic pathway, a brain pathway involved in reward and motivation. Drugs alter this pathway, causing an overwhelming sense of pleasure and increasing the drive to use drugs repeatedly.

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How does repeated drug use change the brain?

Repeated drug use changes the brain's structure and function. It makes the brain more sensitive to drug cues and less responsive to natural rewards, making addiction more likely.

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Dopamine changes in cocaine abusers

Long-term cocaine abusers have lower dopamine levels than normal controls, even when not using cocaine. This contributes to their compulsive use, as they crave the drug to regain a sense of normal dopamine levels.

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What does dopamine signal?

Dopamine signals a reward prediction error, meaning it tells us when we expect a reward, but not necessarily when we receive it.

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Nucleus Accumbens

The Nucleus Accumbens is a brain region that plays a crucial role in processing rewards and motivation. It is a key part of the reward system.

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Dopamine's role in Learning

Dopamine helps us learn by encoding the link between actions and rewards. It tells us which behaviors are likely to lead to positive outcomes.

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What happens to the brain after prolonged drug use?

The brain becomes less sensitive to natural rewards, making it harder to find satisfaction in everyday activities, and becomes more sensitive to stress and negative emotions.

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What do drugs trigger in the brain?

Drugs of abuse trigger abnormally high surges of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, mimicking the pleasure signals naturally associated with rewards.

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How does drug use affect self-control?

Drug use can impair the brain's ability to control impulses and make thoughtful decisions. It makes it difficult to resist cravings and temptations.

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What is brain plasticity?

Brain plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences. This can include both positive and negative changes.

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Why do risk-seeking rats not stabilize preference?

Rats that are risk-seeking are more impulsive and tend to quickly change their preferences for rewards, showing less consistent patterns of choice.

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Study Notes

Seating Assignment

  • Students are assigned a playing card (e.g., Queen of Spades).
  • Find other students with the same card number (e.g., Ace, 2, 3...Queen, King).
  • Form groups of four where each member has a different card suit (heart, spade, diamond, club).

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate impulsive actions from impulsive choices.
  • Predict risk-averse and risk-seeking behaviors in rats during gambling tasks.
  • Detail the effects of addictive drugs on the mesolimbic pathway.
  • Describe brain changes resulting from chronic drug use.
  • Compare dopamine changes in chronic cocaine users to those in healthy individuals.

Impulsiveness

  • Impulsive action: Failing to inhibit an inappropriate response (e.g., laughing at a funeral, being loud in a quiet space).
  • Impulsive choice: Making impulsive decisions by opting for small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards (e.g., skipping class to watch videos, choosing to eat unhealthy food).

Measuring Impulsivity Action

  • Rats are exposed to tasks with varying reward probabilities (P1-P4).
  • Premature response is penalized with a time out, measured by "screen touch during ITI (5s time out)."
  • Omission is no choice made in 10 seconds.
  • Different probabilities/rewards lead to varying behaviors and timeouts.
  • Latency to engage in a task is a way to measure impulse. The tendency of a rat to vary the amount of reward/outcome based on choice also measures impulse.

Impulsive Choice vs. Action

  • Rats are exposed to tasks with different reward probabilities.
  • Premature response is penalized with a time out.
  • The decision to take a small, fast reward or a larger, delayed one will be influenced by the time it takes to receive the reward versus the amount of the reward.

Gambling Impact

  • Early exposure to gambling results in increased impulsive action.
  • Late-life gambling exposure leads to increased impulsive choices after taking cocaine.
  • Different ways of measuring impulse include latency to engage in a task or the tendency to vary the amount of reward/outcome based on choice.

Dopamine in the Reward System

  • The mesolimbic pathway in the brain mediates reward.
  • Dopamine acts as a reward prediction/error signal. The reward prediction/error signal occurs when dopamine is released when a reward is expected, but not when it is not expected, or when the reward is different from expected.
  • Increased dopamine neuron activity is seen when expecting a reward but not when the reward is actually delivered.

Drugs and the Brain

  • Drugs of abuse trigger unusually high dopamine surges in the nucleus accumbens.
  • The brain rewires with prolonged drug use, leading to tolerance, and cravings.
  • Repeated drug use reduces the brain's responsiveness to non-drug rewards.
  • The brain becomes hypersensitive to environmental stress and dysphoria.

Cocaine Abusers

  • Stimulation of dopamine is reduced in active cocaine abusers.
  • Cocaine abusers continue to have intense cravings despite the reduced response.
  • Cravings are more intense in cocaine abusers than normal controls.

Additional Information

  • The student's assigned number, along with their suit, determines their group configuration.
  • Handouts are provided for different card suits, corresponding to different concepts related to the impact of drugs on the brain.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of impulsive actions and choices, emphasizing their implications in behavioral psychology. Students will learn to differentiate between these concepts, understand their effects on decision-making, and examine the impact of addictive drugs on the brain. Topics such as risk behaviors and brain changes due to chronic substance use will be discussed.

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