title: Effects of optimism on motivation in rats.
abstract: In humans, optimism is a cognitive construct related to motivation; optimists exert effort, whereas pessimists disengage from effort. In this study, using a recently developed ambiguous-cue interpretation (ACI) paradigm we took the unique opportunity to investigate whether "optimism" as a trait is correlated with motivation in rodents. In a series of ACI tests (cognitive bias screening, CBS), we identified rats displaying "pessimistic" and "optimistic" traits. Subsequently, we investigated the trait differences in the motivation of these rats to gain reward and to avoid punishment using a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement paradigm. Although "optimistic" and "pessimistic" animals did not differ in their motivation to avoid punishment, the "optimistic" rats were significantly more motivated to gain reward than their "pessimistic" conspecifics. For the first time, we showed an association between cognitive judgment bias and motivation in an animal model. Because both investigated processes are closely related to mental health and wellbeing, our results may be valuable for preclinical modeling of many psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rygula
authors.affiliation: Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Golebiowska
authors.affiliation: Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kregiel
authors.affiliation: Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kubik
authors.affiliation: Affective Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow, Poland ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Popik
keywords: ambiguous-cue interpretation; cognitive judgment bias; motivation; optimism; pessimism; progressive ratio; rat