Social Reward

Human Social Reward

Rewarding objects elicit responses for reward expectation and cognitive planning for behavioral approach. Tangible sensory rewards, i.e. those objects that elicit positive sensations, like foods, elicit positive senses of well-being. Intangible sensory rewards, like melodic, rhythmic, and soothing sounds generate positive senses of well-being.

Tangible social rewards evoke positive senses of well-being when one receives a a treasured object, like a piece of jewelry. In contrast, intangible social rewards are not physical objects but are elicited during emotional experiences. (Read more)

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Motivation for Social Reward

The intensity of the need for social reward (social motivation) and its satisfaction during social interactions, like other personality traits, likely has, in part, a genetic basis.  Certain individuals seem to have varying thresholds underlying tangible sensory and intangible social reward seeking and punishment avoiding behaviors.   For example, extroverts seem to be sensitive to social reward signaling, tend tend to desire affiliation, and seek behavioral strategies. They tend to utilize environmental approach strategies rather than those for introspection. (Read more)

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