Beyond uncertainty: A broader scope for "incentive hope" mechanisms and its implications. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Linkovski, Omer; Weinbach, Noam; Edelman, Shimon; Feldman, Marcus W.; Lotem, Arnon; Kolodny, Oren
• 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/S0140525X18002029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: We propose that food-related uncertainty is but one of multiple cues that predicts harsh conditions and may activate "incentive hope." An evolutionarily adaptive response to these would have been to shift to a behavioral-metabolic phenotype geared toward facing hardship. In modernity, this phenotype may lead to pathologies such as obesity and hoarding. Our perspective suggests a novel therapeutic approach.