Motivation, Effort, and the Neural Network Model

Our understanding of how the human brain operates and completes its essential tasks continues is fundamentally altered from what it was ten years ago. We have moved from an understanding based on the modularity of key structural components and their specialized functions to an almost diametrically opposed, highly integrated neural network model, based on a vertically organized brain dependent on small world hub principles. This new understanding completely changes how we understand essential psychological constructs such as motivation.

Network modeling posits that motivation is a construct that describes a modified aspect of the operation of the human learning system that is specifically designed to cause a person to pursue a goal. Anthropologically and developmentally, these goals were initially basic, including things like food, shelter and reproduction. Over the course of time and development they develop into a complex web of extrinsic and then intrinsic goals, objectives and values. The core for all of this development is the inborn flight or fight reaction has been modified over time by a combination of inborn human temperamental characteristics and life experiences. This process of modification is, in part, based on the operation of a network based error-prediction network working in concert with the reward network to produce a system of ever evolving valuations of goals and objectives. These valuations are never truly fixed. They are constantly evolving, being modified and shaped by experience. The error prediction network and learning related networks work in concert with the limbic system to allow affect laden experiences to inform the process of valuation. These networks, operating in concert, produce a cognitive process we call motivation. Like most networks, the motivation system of networks is recruited when the task demands of the situation require them.

Understanding motivation from this perspective has profound implications for many scientific disciplines in general and psychology in specific. Psychologically, this new understanding will alter how we understand client behavior in therapy and when being evaluated. This new understanding will provide direction for new therapeutic intervention for a variety of disorders of mental health. It will also inform testing practices concerning the evaluation of effort and malingering.

This book is not a project in reductionism. It is the polar opposite. A neural network understanding of the operation of the human brain allows for the integration of what has come before into a comprehensive and integrated model. It will likely provide the basis for future research for years to come.

The book provides a complete reinterpretation of the construct called motivation by describing how emotionally laden goal seeking behavior is expressed through the networked organization of the human brain Understanding how motivation operates has profound implications for the practice of clinical and neuropsychology. Many longstanding assumptions may be incorrect and practice standards may have to be altered Understanding how to motivate people based on this model will lead to new interventions in many fields of endeavor outside of psychology. Educators and business people will profit by understanding the implications of this groundbreaking for their fields

Autorentext

Dr. Ted Wasserman has authored five books and over 50 peer referenced articles on a variety of topics in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. Along with Lori Wasserman, he is the co-editor of the Neural Network series for Springer nature Publishing. This series uses neural network modeling to explain important issues in clinical neuropsychological practice. The most recent works have modeled motivation and apraxia. Dr. Wasserman, a pediatric Neuropsychologist, licensed in the State of Florida, completed his doctorate at Hofstra University in 1974. His internship in pediatric neuropsychology was completed at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island, New York. His Post-Doctoral training was completed in cognitive behavior therapy at the Institute For Advanced Study Of Rational Psychotherapy in New York City. Dr. Wasserman is in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. He sees children from the ages of 0-18, with a full range of medical and developmental anomalies. He is particularly interested in attentional and learning disorders and their impact on school function, Autism, and Asperger's, atypical developmental delays, seizures, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Wasserman was the co-founder and past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He was formerly the section chief of Psychology at St. Mary's Medical Center Trauma Service and the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Lori Wasserman has authored five books and over 20 peer referenced articles on a variety of topics in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. Along with Ted Wasserman, she is the co-editor of the Neural Network series for Springer Nature Publishing. This series uses neural network modeling to explain important issues in clinical neuropsychological practice. The most recent works have modeled motivation and apraxia. Dr. Wasserman holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and certification in School Psychology. She both completed her internship and remained at the Astor Day Treatment Center for a total of 10 years, working with learning disabled and emotionally impacted children who had been expelled from special education. Dr. Wasserman relocated to Florida in 1988, leading multi-disciplinary teams in the neurodevelopmental assessment of infants and toddlers through the Early Intervention Program for children between the ages of birth and five. Dr. Wasserman is a Fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology and is a past and current member of the board on American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology. Dr. Wasserman is currently in private practice in Boca Raton. Her practice provides clinical and neuropsychological assessment for children through young adults. Although originally trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, her practice utilizes a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and neuropsychological principles which she and her partner and co-author have termed Neurocognitive Learning Theory.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. How Neural Networks Work; Chapter.- Chapter 2. Small World Hub, Vertical Brain Modeling of Motivation and Effort.- Chapter 3. Motivation and Gating.- Section 2. Motivation and Effort Reimagined.- Chapter 4. Traditional models of Motivation.- Chapter 5. Traditional Models of Effort.- Chapter 6. The Reward Recognition Network and its Role in Motivation and Effor.- Chapter 7. Is Motivation a State or a Trait.- Chapter 8. Task Dependent Motivation and Effort.- Section 3. Effort Testing Forensic Practice.- Chapter 9. Current models of Effort Testing.- Chapter 10. Reformulated Models of Effort Testing.- Chapter 11. Implications for Psychological and Neuropsychological testing.- Chapter 12. Implications for Forensic Practice.- Section 4. Motivation and Clinical practice.- Chapter 13. How to use the reformulated Model of Motivation in Clinical Practice.- Chapter 14. Encouraging the Development of targeted Motivation.