Understanding the psychological and neurological elements behind reward systems can help explain why complacency kicks in. The reward system, or mesocorticolimbic circuit, is a collection of neural pathways and structures that trigger our desire to “want” something. Motivation is a byproduct of how these pathways and structures interact. The prefrontal cortex houses three important layers integral to determining our motivation.
1. the orbitofrontal cortex: responsive to the learned value of rewards;
2. the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: associates a reward as a goal object;
3. The anterior cingulate cortex: executive control of goal-directed actions
The prefrontal cortex relays information to two other brain structures: the hypothalamus and the amygdala, They respond to rewards and reward characteristics respectively. Our two reward systems, Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhibition Systems (BIS) are prompted by how we respond to environmental stimuli.
In the case of athletic performance, if an athlete is bored, does not find the reward worthwhile, or is experiencing anxiety (for example, pressure from external influences - family, agents, coaches, friends or nervous about their performance relative to others’) the BIS system kicks in, creating a highly sensitive individual, and signals the brain to avoid or withdraw away from the perceived “punishment” (anything causing the boredom, anxiety, etc.) Avoidance is a character trait of the fixed mindset, and also the personality trait neuroticism. On the other hand, our BAS is triggered by healthy and controlled levels of dopamine which encourages us to approach the situation or stimuli (too much and a person can become impulsive, a trait of strong extroversion). When the BAS is activated, an athlete is motivated by rewards (over punishment) and has no trouble keeping their foot on the accelerator. These two systems are inverses of each other generated by how stimuli activates different brain regions.