How uncertainty begets hope: A model of adaptive and maladaptive seeking behavior. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zack, Martin
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 42(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X18001875
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: The "incentive hope" model creatively explains hoarding and fat accumulation by foragers under uncertainty and food seeking when food cues are present but food is not. The model has difficulty explaining why animals driven by cues fare better than animals driven by food reward itself, why human obesity exists when food is abundant, and why people enjoy gambling and care about winning.