The Predictions of Dopamine

When I first read the chapter title, I immediately got interested because I had watched a movie, Awakenings (which was a pretty good movie, by the way) in Biology class last year which was about the drug L-DOPA. L-DOPA, once taken, is converted into dopamine within the body. So I was already armed with some knowledge about dopamine.

The Predictions of Dopamine starts off with a story of how a Marine, during the Gulf War, was somehow able to tell that a blip on his radar screen was not one of the US's own A-6 fighter jets, but an enemy Silkworm missile. The blips on the screen for a fighter jet and missile were identical, which was confirmed after a thorough military investigation. The Marine's explanation was that he had a "bad feeling about the blip."

At first, I thought this chapter would be about some kind of sixth sense and how humans react when that sense kicks in. However, as I read on, I saw how dopamine was related to the Silkworm incident.

Another study was conducted of the incident two years later. It was realized that there was a minuscule discrepancy between a Silkscreen missile and an A-6 jet on the radar screen, and the Marine was able to pick up on the infinitesimal difference. Lehrer goes on to explain that the "bad feeling" that the Marine had was because the neurotransmitter dopamine had not been released inside his body. Dopamine is responsible for the human feeling of pleasure.

Dopamine neurons can be trained through experience. Through this process, these neurons gain the ability to predict what happens next, usually without conscious thought. However, if an event does not proceed as predicted, the dopamine is withheld and the human does not feel a positive emotion.

This dopamine response explains why we "feel" something is right or "feel" something is wrong. This is why world renowned chess masters are so good - through experience, their dopamine neurons are able to predict what happens after their opponent's move, and therefore "feel" that a specific next move would be ideal.

This chapter ties in nicely with the first. The first chapter shows how emotions are permanently tied to decisions, and this chapter delves into that concept. On a personal level, this chapter also reinforced the value of consistent practicing. Practice helps, even at an unconscious level. I'll keep that in mind. "Oh my dopamine neurons are benefiting from this." Haha.

Another part of this chapter that interested me was the part where Lehrer stressed the importance of learning from mistakes. Without recognizing mistakes, our dopamine neurons are doomed to repeat the same mistake over and over because they would not be able to correct themselves. Lehrer cited a study where students who were praised for their effort instead of their intelligence gained more confidence and proved more successful. Students who were praised for their intelligence ended up being afraid of making mistakes. Note to self: if I have kids, tell them "You must have worked really hard" instead of "You must be smart at this." I'm learning life lessons from this book. Sweet.

I looked up dopamine online and also learned that it was why cocaine and other such drugs affect us. (http://www.humanillnesses.com/images/hdc_0000_0001_0_img0085.jpg) Now that I understand more about the role of dopamine, it makes a lot of sense.

Lehrer ends this chapter with

"So far, we've been exploring the surprising intelligence of our emotions... But emotions aren't perfect... The best decision makers know which situations require less intuitive responses, and in the next part of the book, we'll look at what those situations are."

I like how he's using a pro-con approach, and I definitely look forward to reading more.

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