SEEKING: Source of Action-RL1
Jaak Panksepp (1998, 2004) identifies just seven 'primary process affective' neural systems found in mammals. He names them: SEEKING, FEAR, RAGE, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF, PLAY.
All assertions regarding these neural systems follow Panksepp. See more details including explanation of capitals.
Proposition
The SEEKING system allows animals to search for, find and acquire all of the resources needed for survival.
This immediately suggests the link is to or Achievement (the Primal Need) and the psychosocial pressure for Performance.
SEEKING is affective because it creates an excited euphoric goal-less anticipation, that is distinct from the pleasure or excitement of consummation. It mediates a spontaneous intention-containing action, rather than the conscious intention-driven action.
This lack of intentionality makes it unlikely that SEEKING is the basis for or generally.
This neural system is more aroused when the animal is in a state of imbalance (e.g. hungry), but it is also generated by the ready availability of desirable resources. The system supports pursuing rewards with gusto i.e. it prompts us to search for necessary resources optimistically.
It is implicated in the control of an enormous number of energized ('appetitive') behaviors in rates.
It is maximum prior to consumption/rewards (e.g. food) and does not respond to rewards as such. It responds to any of the many survival-sustaining activities i.e. "a goad without a fixed goal".
Amphetamine and cocaine activate the system
Responds to novel events.
Leads to ritualistic adjunctive behaviours which is pure action that does not forward the relevant goal.
Predatory aggression in animals is governed by SEEKING urges.
Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology
Extended lateral hypothalamic corridor...runs from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens.
SEEKING is highly rewarding, due to dopamine release. However, this reward has no explicit goal in mind, at least initially. Goals are soon found. Goals are commonly generated by the other neural systems to either deal with unpleasant states (e.g. FEAR, PANIC) or enable attractive states (e.g. LUST, CARE).
, the Survival Domain rests on as the final common pathway. An affective release is evident in human beings from the pleasure from completion and specific achievements within endeavours.
The Primary Domain of is what is commonly experienced as work when conceived as active doing. This Domain is the only one driven primarily by Achievement needs and Performance pressures.
While unlike all the Primary Domains in terms of the primary driver, it is similar to them all in bedding down in through operation of a Performance pressure at the bottom level (PH•1). In , a person must (PH1L1). The domain also has inputs from all the other psychosocial pressures, and hence (presumably) all the other neural systems.
Alternatives
The other 6 emotional systems are not as intimately linked to bodily survival needs as is SEEKING. So none seems as likely to emerge primarily in human beings as . Furthermore, the other systems lack the positive physical arousal and optimistic expectation that seems necessary for and a sustained that .
Check details of the raw emotional feelings associated with:
FEAR
RAGE
LUST
CARE
PANIC/GRIEF
PLAY
SEEKING could be primarily linked to because it promotes curiosity, and inquisitiveness. Animals are described as 'frantically exploring their environments, taking notice of all the new stimuli they encounter'.
Alternatively, SEEKING could be linked to both and via the Primal Need: Achievement whose realization depends on the functioning of both Domains via Management, the Primal Means. See details.
Finally, SEEKING could be the basis of the : i.e. powering the as a whole and energizing all .
e.g. if the Median Forebrain Bundle that links the Ventral Tegmental Area of the midbrain to higher regions is damaged bilaterally, animals can no longer take care of themselves and will die if left.
If this is the case, then a different neural system would need to be allocated to . As the analysis above indicates, it is hard to envisage what that might be.
Initially posted: Jan-2015