Discussion section: While humans are still motivated by food, sex, and drugs, in our modern world, we are also motivated by new inventions: smartphones and social media. Are all of these stimuli treated the same by our brains? What can the neuroscience of motivated behaviors tell us about our smartphone use and social media engagement? The one neurotransmitter that appears to be involved in motivation for all of these stimuli is the catecholamine neurotransmitter dopamine. This week, we will consider our motivated behaviors and the movement patterns that are required to complete these behaviors and achieve our goals, such as the pleasure we experience from eating a delicious meal. Further, we will consider how new technologies can activate these particular brain circuits to achieve behavioral patterns similar to those observed to be involved in behavioral and drug addictions. Finally, we will consider the significance of a brain system that tells us when to quit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discussion 4 \u2013 How the Brain Controls Goal-Directed Behaviors<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Study Shows Impact of Social Interactions on Addictive Behavior | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)<\/p>\n\n\n\n