Your Brain@ Work: Post #9--Expectations

Expectations: Experiments prove the following: “Expect something good or bad, and it impacts the brain regions the same as the actual experience would when generated in reality.” The pleasure of dopamine release from the brain cells comes from anticipation of receiving a primary reward. What’s more, an unexpected reward releases even more dopamine. However, if you expect a reward and don’t get it, dopamine drops like a rock. Further, unmet expectations generate serious threat responses. In short, underpromise and overdeliver. Your brain requires dopamine to be open, curious, and interested in what you’re doing. Dopamine is essential for focusing and creates a toward-or-away state. A lack of it creates an away or avoidance state and reduces your ability to solve problems. Barbara Frederickson (UNC) has shown that happy people solve more problems, perceive more data, and are more open to options than unhappy folks.