Functional Contextualism and Goal Directed Behavior

Author(s):  
Franz Resch ◽  
Peter Parzer
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Pluck ◽  
Cristina Crespo-Andrade ◽  
Patricia Parreño ◽  
Karla I. Haro ◽  
María A. Martínez ◽  
...  

1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lowell Nissen

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262095934
Author(s):  
Julia M. Sheffield ◽  
Holger Mohr ◽  
Hannes Ruge ◽  
Deanna M. Barch

Rapid instructed task learning (RITL) is the uniquely human ability to transform task information into goal-directed behavior without relying on trial-and-error learning. RITL is a core cognitive process supported by functional brain networks. In patients with schizophrenia, RITL ability is impaired, but the role of functional network connectivity in these RITL deficits is unknown. We investigated task-based connectivity of eight a priori network pairs in participants with schizophrenia ( n = 29) and control participants ( n = 31) during the performance of an RITL task. Multivariate pattern analysis was used to determine which network connectivity patterns predicted diagnostic group. Of all network pairs, only the connectivity between the cingulo-opercular network (CON) and salience network (SAN) during learning classified patients and control participants with significant accuracy (80%). CON-SAN connectivity during learning was significantly associated with task performance in participants with schizophrenia. These findings suggest that impaired interactions between identification of salient stimuli and maintenance of task goals contributes to RITL deficits in participants with schizophrenia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meizhu Huang ◽  
Dapeng Li ◽  
Xinyu Cheng ◽  
Qing Pei ◽  
Zhiyong Xie ◽  
...  

AbstractAppetitive locomotion is essential for animals to approach rewards, such as food and prey. The neuronal circuitry controlling appetitive locomotion is unclear. In a goal-directed behavior—predatory hunting, we show an excitatory brain circuit from the superior colliculus (SC) to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) to enhance appetitive locomotion in mice. This tectonigral pathway transmits locomotion-speed signals to dopamine neurons and triggers dopamine release in the dorsal striatum. Synaptic inactivation of this pathway impairs appetitive locomotion but not defensive locomotion. Conversely, activation of this pathway increases the speed and frequency of approach during predatory hunting, an effect that depends on the activities of SNc dopamine neurons. Together, these data reveal that the SC regulates locomotion-speed signals to SNc dopamine neurons to enhance appetitive locomotion in mice.


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