up:: [[Procrastination]] tags:: #on/neuroscience #on/psychology # Approach-Avoidance Conflict Approach-avoidance conflict is a well-known phenomenon in the field of neuroscience that occurs when an individual is faced with a situation that can lead to both rewards as well as negative outcomes. Neural circuits in the brain, such as the mesolimbic dopamine pathway that is associated with reward processing, are activated when rewards are presented. However, when there is the potential for a negative outcome, the [[Brain Regions for Fear|brain regions involved in processing fear]] and anxiety such as the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and insula become active. The [[prefrontal cortex]], which is responsible for higher-order cognitive processes, such as decision-making, also plays a crucial role in approach-avoidance conflict. This region evaluates potential outcomes and consequences of a course of action and makes a decision based on its assessment. In cases where there is an inclination towards the reward, but a potential risk of negative consequences or punishment, the prefrontal cortex is activated and in turn, inhibits the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, leading to a reduction of the reward-seeking behavior. However, in situations where the potential reward outweighs perceived negative consequences, the prefrontal cortex becomes less inhibitory, and the reward-seeking behavior increases. The neuroscientific study of approach-avoidance conflict can shed light on several behaviors related to addiction, compulsive behaviors, and risk-taking. These behaviors often involve a heightened engagement of the reward system and a disregard for negative consequences, leading to pathological behavior. ##### Sources * [The 15-Second Rule That Makes Procrastination Impossible - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkDxsQRbIwo) * Phelps, E. A., & LeDoux, J. P. (2005). Contributions of the amygdala to emotion processing: from animal models to human behavior. Neuron, 48(2), 175-187. * Radua, J., & Mataix-Cols, D. (2009). Voxel-wise meta-analysis of grey matter changes in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(5), 393-402. * Jentsch, J. D., & Taylor, J. R. (1999). Impulsivity resulting from frontostriatal dysfunction in drug abuse: implications for the control of behavior by reward-related stimuli. Psychopharmacology, 146(4), 373-390. * Weber, R., Rangel, A. & Wouter Van den Bos (2019), “The neuroscience of indecision,” PNAS, 116(11): 5230-5232.