Editing Curiosity (section)

===Motivation and reward===

[[File:Dopamine Pathways.png|thumb|Dopamine pathway in the brain]]
The drive to learn new information or perform some action may be prompted by the anticipation of [[Reward system|reward]]. So what we learn about [[motivation]] and reward may help us to understand curiosity.<ref name="Costa_2014"/>

Reward is defined as the positive reinforcement of an action, reinforcement that encourages a particular behavior by means of the emotional [[Sensation (psychology)|sensation]]s of relief, pleasure, and satisfaction that correlate with happiness. Many areas in the brain process reward and come together to form what is called the reward pathway. In this pathway many [[neurotransmitters]] play a role in the activation of the reward sensation, including [[dopamine]], [[serotonin]], and [[Opioid#Endogenous opioids|opioids]].<ref name="Costa_2014"/>

Dopamine is linked to curiosity, as it assigns and retains reward values of information gained. Research suggests {{clarify|text=higher amounts of dopamine are released when the reward is unknown|reason=the previous sentence suggests that the reward is *assigned by* dopamine, so how can dopamine release be a function of how known the reward is -- isn't this circular?|date=July 2023}} and the stimulus is unfamiliar, compared to activation of dopamine when stimulus is familiar.<ref name="Costa_2014"/>

==== Nucleus accumbens ====
The [[nucleus accumbens]] is a formation of neurons that is important in reward pathway activation—such as the release of dopamine in investigating response to novel or exciting stimuli. The fast dopamine release observed during childhood and adolescence is important in development, as curiosity and exploratory behavior are the largest facilitators of learning during early years.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The sensation pleasure of "liking" can occur when opioids are released by the nucleus accumbens. This helps someone evaluate the unfamiliar situation or environment and attach value to the novel object. These processes of both wanting and liking play a role in activating the [[reward system]] of the brain, and perhaps in the stimulation of curious or information-seeking tendencies as well.<ref name = litman /><ref name="Kakade_2002"/><ref name=Thewick />

====Caudate nucleus====
The [[caudate nucleus]] is a region of the brain that is highly responsive to dopamine, and is another component of the reward pathway. Research suggests that the caudate nucleus anticipates the possibility of and reward of exploratory behavior and gathered information, thus contributing to factors of curiosity.<ref name=Thewick /><ref name="The Itch of Curiosity">{{cite magazine| vauthors = Lehrer J |title=The Itch of Curiosity|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/08/the-itch-of-curiosity/|magazine=Wired|access-date=21 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724023705/http://www.wired.com/2010/08/the-itch-of-curiosity/|archive-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>

==== Anterior cortices ====
Regions of the [[anterior insula]] and [[anterior cingulate cortex]] {{clarify|text=correspond to|reason=in what way?|date=July 2023}} both conflict and arousal and, as such, seem to reinforce certain exploratory models of curiosity.<ref name="Jepma, M. 2012">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jepma M, Verdonschot RG, van Steenbergen H, Rombouts SA, Nieuwenhuis S | title = Neural mechanisms underlying the induction and relief of perceptual curiosity | journal = Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience | volume = 6 | pages = 5 | year = 2012 | pmid = 22347853 | pmc = 3277937 | doi = 10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00005 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==== Cortisol ====
[[Cortisol]] is a chemical known for its role in stress regulation. However, cortisol may also be associated with curious or exploratory behavior. Studies suggesting a role of cortisol in curiosity support optimal arousal theory. They suggest the release of some cortisol, causing some stress, encourages curious behavior, while too much stress can initiate a "back away" response.<ref name="The Itch of Curiosity"/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Parker KJ, Rainwater KL, Buckmaster CL, Schatzberg AF, Lindley SE, Lyons DM | title = Early life stress and novelty seeking behavior in adolescent monkeys | journal = Psychoneuroendocrinology | volume = 32 | issue = 7 | pages = 785–792 | date = August 2007 | pmid = 17604913 | pmc = 2716798 | doi = 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.05.008 }}</ref>