Reward dependence

Cloninger's tridimensional personality theory offers three independent "temperament" dimensions which aid in measuring how different individuals feel or behave.

The so-called subscales of RD in TCI-R are A study comparing the TCI to the five factor model of personality found that reward dependence was substantially positively associated with extraversion and to a lesser extent openness to experience.

[6] Norepinephrine (NE), apart from producing alertness and arousal, is seen as influencing the brain reward system[14] by aiding in the learning of new paired associations.

[15] According to Cloninger, the norepinephrine neurotransmitter has its major ascending pathways arising in the locus coeruleus in the pons, projecting onward to the hypothalamic and limbic structures, and then branching upwards to the neocortex.

[16] Cloninger's theory suggests that over expression of the RD temperament could cause psychiatric illnesses, such as addictive behaviors, sociopathies, and personality disorders.

It is then suggested that individuals with such predispositions should adopt preventive strategies or avoid such situations, where they seek such rewards that could potentially have adverse consequences.

According to researchers the reward circuit is continuously involved in initiating behaviors that are essential for the sustenance of the individual (such as eating) or of the preservation of the species (such as sexual reproduction).

Food intake or sexual stimuli then lead to endorphin regulated release of dopamine in core substrates of the reward processing system, which subsequently activate craving sensations.

This finding then suggests that individuals with increased reward dependence have a relative deficit of endorphins and are possibly at higher risk for developing addictive behaviors.

These individuals experience feelings of depression, agitation and extreme discontent, leading them to indulge in habits that reinforce reward-seeking, such as increased sexual activity or overeating.

[42] Reward dependence is not consistently associated with diagnosis but can also significantly affect treatment issues, such as Therapeutic alliance.

This demonstrates that, having higher reward dependence enhances an individual's disposition to being more dedicated and sociable, making them increasingly respond to societal pressures, thereby reducing their risk of dropping out from weight-loss programs.

Cloninger suggests that had these gamblers been retested after they had refrained from gambling for a determined period, their CSF MHPG levels might have been low.

[12] A study of norepinephrine levels in alcoholics with high reward dependence also showed a significant decrease of MHPG in their CSF.