Characteristics and brain mechanism of anticipatory contrast in instrumental behavior

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K04505
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Experimental psychology
• Research Institution: Hoshi University
• Principal Investigator: Kawasaki Katsuyoshi 星薬科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (20339526)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 予期的対比 / オペラント条件付け / 脳内メカニズム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

People don't overeat cup ramen that afternoon when they know that a gorgeous dinner is waiting for dinner. This is because you will not be able to enjoy your dinner. Functions such as "anticipation", "reward comparison", and "behavior suppression" of the brain are involved in this behavior, and it is difficult for infants and developmental disorders. Animal models are needed to study these brain functions. This study confirmed whether the rat "anticipatory negative contrast (ANC)", which can be considered as the model, can be observed even in the type of behavior called "instrumental behavior" that is often seen in humans. "instrumental behavior" is behavior that is different from the purpose and is performed to achieve the purpose.

Free Research Field

生理心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ラットの道具的行動(自動販売機の飲料を飲むためにお金を入れたりボトルを開けたりするような、目的を達成するために行われる目的とは異なる行動)においても(次に来る報酬を予測して今可能な行動を抑制する)「予期的対比」が観察されたことによって、人の同様な(たとえば、今もらえる１つのお菓子を我慢して10分後に10個のお菓子をもらう)場面での行動抑制モデルとして考えることが可能となった。今後この動物モデルを用いて、脳内メカニズムの解明に取り組むことができる。衝動性が高まり、眼前の欲求を抑えられない「注意欠陥多動性障害」など発達障害の脳内メカニズム解明に寄与することなどが考えられる。