Motivation

The Reward Circuit and the Prefrontal Cortex

Shimamura says the midbrain is where dopamine is produced and has some control of motivational salience; the degree to which a person is motivated or repelled by an event, object or outcome.

The results of cerebral imaging

When patients are subjected to pleasurable processes, cerebral imaging shows that the areas of the brain associated with efficient learning, such as the prefrontal cortex, are linked to the reward circuit in the midbrain.

Curiosity is key

When attempting to motivate students as part of the learning process, Shimamura discusses the idea of curiosity as key for engaging the reward circuit.

Epistemic vs diverse

It is important to consider if the curiosity we are fostering is epistemic (wanting to go deep and learn more about a subject) rather than diverse (wanting to experience a range of new ideas).
- Epistemic curiosity activates the midbrain reward pathways.

1MARGE Model

1.1The Brain

1.1.1Introduction

1.1.2Parts of the Brain & MARGE Conclusions

1.1.3Motivation

1.1.4Focus

1.1.5Relating Information

1.2The MARGE Model

1.2.1MARGE

1.2.2Applying MARGE

1.3A Whole-Brain Model of Learning

1.3.1Introduction to the Whole-Brain Concept

1.3.2Questions for MARGE

1.3.3MARGE & Knowledge Organisers

1.3.4MARGE & SQ3R

1.3.5MARGE & Cornell Note-Taking

1.3.6MARGE & the Feynman Technique

1.3.7Conclusions

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