Observer rats show ventral striatal dopamine release to another's reward, weaker than for own reward¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2017 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Rats observing another rat receive reward show greater ventral striatal dopamine release than when reward goes to an empty box, but the release is substantially weaker than for own reward. → Jessica Joiner 2017

Evidence¶

Jessica Joiner 2017¶

Jessica Joiner, Matthew Piva, Courtney Turrin and Steve W. C. Chang. (2017). Social learning through prediction error in the brain. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-017-0009-2

q3 · i? · review · r2

Review reports an animal study of observational learning and vicarious reinforcement measuring dopamine release. Observers showed "significantly more dopamine release in the ventral striatum" for a conspecific's reward versus an empty box; release for other's reward was substantially weaker than for own reward.

"observer rats vocalized more and experienced significantly more dopamine release in the ventral striatum when seeing another rat receive reward compared to when reward was delivered to an empty box."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Reward prediction error: achieving less than expected causes a dopamine dip below baseline that discourages future effort, while external reward surges are followed by compensatory dips — related
• Excessive smartphone use in adolescents is associated with reduced frontostriatal connectivity and greater cortisol-related withdrawal symptoms — related
• Striatum computes other-referenced prediction errors in social and economic games, including without added payoff — a broader claim this one bears on