Neural basis of generation and modulation of intrinsic motivation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24240061
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Fusional social brain science
• Research Institution: Tamagawa University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUMOTO Kenji 玉川大学, 脳科学研究所, 教授 (50300900)
• Research Collaborator: MURAYAMA Kou University of Reading, Lecturer ; DECI Edward L. University of Rochester, Professor ; RYAN Richard M. University of Rochester, Professor ; ELLIOT Andrew J. University of Rochester, Professor ; PHILLIPS Adam N. 理化学研究所, 准事務基幹職員 ; YOMOGIDA Yukihito 玉川大学, 嘱託研究員 ; AOKI Ryuta 日本学術振興会, 特別研究員(PD) ; IIJIMA Kazuki 日本学術振興会, 特別研究員(PD) ; MATSUMOTO Madoka 玉川大学脳科学研究所, 特別研究員 ; IZUMA Keise University of York, Lecturer ; SAKAKI Michiko Univesity of Reading, Lecturer ; ABE Kaosu 東京工業大学 ; SUGIURA Ayaka 東京大学
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 動機づけ / 神経科学 / 自己決定感 / 接近／回避 / 価値

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to reveal the neural basis of motivational modulation, we measured the brain activity of participants who were performing modified versions of stopwatch task using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The participants preferred the condition where they could choose the stopwatch to play by themselves. In the self-determined choice condition, success rate increased and the drop in the ventromedial prefrontal activity disappeared. These findings suggest that a mechanism that regards a failure as a step for future success exists in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and this mechanism is recruited in the self-determined choice condition for increase in motivation as well as performance. The striatum was more activated by the success for point increments than by the success for avoiding point decrements. These findings suggest that the reward system in the brain is activated for motivational increase more efficiently in the approaching frame than in the avoidance frame.

Free Research Field

認知脳科学