Mengapa Manusia Senang Mencoba Hal-Hal Baru

Posted on Kamis, 26 Juni 2008. Filed under: biologi | Tags: , |

Harus kita akui, tanpa ada keinginan untuk mencoba sesuatu yang ‘lain’, manusia di abad XXI ini masih akan tinggal di gua dan berburu binatang liar. Sebuah penelitian di Inggris menemukan bahwa kecenderungan ini sudah ‘terprogram’ di otak kita sebagai suatu kenikmatan tersendiri. Sayangnya, ‘program’ yang sama juga menyebabkan manusia mencoba hal-hal negatif yang akhirnye berujung pada kecanduan.

clipped from www.reuters.com
Scientists have identified a primitive area of the brain that makes us adventurous — a finding which may help explain why people routinely fall for “new” products when shopping.
British researchers discovered that a brain region known as the ventral striatum was more active when subjects chose unusual objects in controlled tests.
The ventral striatum is involved in processing rewards in the brain through the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine.
“Seeking new and unfamiliar experiences is a fundamental behavioral tendency in humans and animals. It makes sense to try new options as they may prove advantageous in the long run,” said Bianca Wittmann
The positive feedback system in the brain could also contribute to some common vices.
“In humans, increased novelty-seeking may play a role in gambling and drug addiction, both of which are mediated by malfunctions in dopamine release,” said Nathaniel Daw, now at New York University, who also worked on the study.
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