The SEEKING system supports the activation of every act that we perform and that requires energy. Therefore, the âseeking systemâ is constantly involved with the world and its processes. In animals, the SEEKING system operates with no premeditation and strategic planning. In fact, this system requires more connections with the frontal neocortex, which is more developed in humans. It provides a kind of âexcited and euphoric anticipationâ. The emotional system that Panksepp presents as seeking is involved in procurement research, exploration, investigation, curiosity, interest and expectation (the system is called in English: foraging/exploration/investigation/curiosity/interest/expectancy/SEEKING system). The system, says Panksepp, responds unconditionally to homeostatic imbalances (states of body necessities) and environmental incentives. It represents the reward system (together with the RAGE and FEAR systems to achieve the set goals) and it mediates the primary processes known as appetitive solicitations which lead to research by environmental exploration. Even though the exhibited behavior is comparable to the one shown during the desire phase antecedent to the act of fulfillment, the positive emotion that comes from the activation of the seeking system (Wanting) is different from the sensation of pleasure that causes the realization of the goal (Liking), representing an âanticipatory euphoriaâ (appetitive/incentive behavior). Both pleasure and reinforcement secondary to satisfaction (consummatory behavior/sensory pleasure reward) are associated with a reduction in the activity of this system. In this phase, the system deactivation allows the activation of both reinforcement processes and secondary learning, which act through motivation, thus intended as positive reinforcement. In this way, an initial neutral stimulus, thanks to the interaction with other systems, such as reinforcement, can be then classified as either irrelevant or relevant and stored in memory. At a third level, it generates specific expectations and desires, secondary to awareness. This system then mediates an intentionality that is intrinsically present within the action. The joy of the SEEKING system, identifiable with the so-called âenthusiasmâ, has an energizing effect and can counteract several negative emotions. It is involved in creative activities. The energy boost towards both the exploration of the environment and the research of useful resources for survival is not much connected to the satisfaction for achieving a goal, but to the rewards expectation. In fact, it does not mediate the pleasure, but the desire for it. The anticipatory urgency of different activities shares a positive sense of wanting to do and being able to do, for example, the pleasant anticipation of finding the food and the positive feeling linked to find it, provide a sense of confident expectation that compensates the negative feelings related to hunger. In humans, unlike animals, it operates with strategic planning and premeditation, since there are connections with the frontal neocortex that allow a strategic thought to elicit the system, thus generating complex learned behaviors, both instinctive and counter-instinctive (the firefighter can neutralize the fear of fire and do his/her job by adopting learned strategies). The SEEKING system promotes, in addition to strategic practical thinking, purely intellectual neocortical capacities, energizing the entire human creativity. It is activated not only in response to simple homeostatic imbalances (thirst, hunger, sleep, temperature), but also when facing more complex social needs (mediated by different interoceptors), including the need to play the company. It is in a state of almost continuous operation that keeps both men and animals in a general state of involvement with the world. | Medial bundle of the forebrain (nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, mesolimbic and mesocortical areas, lateral hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray matter of the midbrain). From the ventral tegmental area (VTA) the seeing system ascends, through mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways, to three destinations: - medial fasciculus of the forebrain and lateral hypothalamus (MFB-LH).
- Nucleus accumbens.
- Medial prefrontal cortex. The dopaminergic neurons of the VTA (common to the CARE system: activation of research impulses to procure food, prepare the nest, recover the puppies) receive input from other regions of the brain and send output to upper brain areas, especially towards the nucleus accumbens (involved in the development of addictions; the medial frontal neocortical regions are focused on primary emotional needs. It explains how we seek pleasant experiences and escape the pitfalls) that interacts with the medial frontal cortex and promotes simple appetitive learning. Other regions involved in the functioning of the system:
- Noradrenergic and serotonergic system (control arousal).
- GABAergic, glutamatergic and aceticolin systems (for more specific attention functions). Specific types of interoceptors or âneed detectorsâ located in different medial regions of the brain and in other body organs perceive homeostatic imbalances that indicate simple bodily needs (thirst, hunger, drowsiness, body temperature) and convey these specific homeostatic messages to the seeking system. In addition, some sensors report changes in sex hormones and are connected to the LUST system, promoting sexual desire.
| The SEEKING emotional system is, according to Panksepp, the main and oldest motivational one. It generates drive impulses for exploring the world, becoming involved, interested in reality. Its activation results in intense processes of learning, producing adaptive behaviors (basal ganglia) and knowledge (neocortex). The neuronal SEEKING system includes a reward center related to enthusiasm and euphoria of involvement but not hedonistic satisfaction. It supports the expectation that, by activating itself, we can find something âgoodâ for our well-being and provide the energy necessary to achieve it. It participates in appetitive phases (to search, find and acquire the necessary resources, not only those aimed at consumption) present in all systems. If the system is damaged, the animal can no longer take care of itself, it goes into depression and dies. |
