<p>From a biological viewpoint, these experiences are associated with the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, which activate the "reward pathway" of the brain that is associated with feelings of happiness and mood alleviation. Since these are pleasurable experiences, we crave more and more of it, which is why a lot of our actions are governed by it. </p>

<p><strong>References</strong>:</p>

<p>The Science of Happiness. (2016). More Good Deeds. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <a href="https://www.moregooddeeds.org/blog/2017/1/20/the-science-of-happiness" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.moregooddeeds.org/blog/2017/1/20/the-science-of-happiness</a></p>

<p>Fehlhaber, K. (2012). The Reward Pathway Reinforces Behavior - Knowing Neurons. Knowing Neurons. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <a href="http://knowingneurons.com/2012/10/31/the-reward-pathway-reinforces-behavior/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://knowingneurons.com/2012/10/31/the-reward-pathway-reinforces-behavior/</a></p>

<p>Icahn School of Medicine | Neuroscience Department | Nestler Lab | Brain Reward Pathways. (2017). Neuroscience.mssm.edu. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <a href="http://neuroscience.mssm.edu/nestler/brainRewardpathways.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://neuroscience.mssm.edu/nestler/brainRewardpathways.html</a></p>

<p>Know your brain: Reward system. (2015). Neuroscientifically Challenged. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <a href="http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-reward-system" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-reward-system</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T05:52:48.963Z
Hi Aman, Welcome at CogSci. Do you have any references that could back up these statements?
Robin Kramer-ten Have
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T06:00:31.097Z
[link](https://www.moregooddeeds.org/blog/2017/1/20/the-science-of-happiness)
This link has the explanations for the release of oxytocin and dopamine, along with other hormones and neurotransmitters
Aman Khandelwal
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T06:08:43.990Z
More information about the rewards pathway can be found in these sites:
[link](http://knowingneurons.com/2012/10/31/the-reward-pathway-reinforces-behavior/)
[link](http://neuroscience.mssm.edu/nestler/brainRewardpathways.html)
[link](http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-reward-system)
Aman Khandelwal
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T08:53:54.263Z
@AmanKhandelwal - please include those references in your answer proper
AliceD
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-20T02:53:27.860Z
Maybe I could've phrased my response differently, but just to clarify the "why" is the activation of the reward pathway of the brain, the rest, I agree, is the "how". Also, the same situation can be analysed in terms of the cognitive and sociocultural levels of analyses as well. Since I only know the biological explanation for this phenomenon, I've confined my answer to that.
Aman Khandelwal
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-19T05:46:21.237Z
2017-04-19T15:49:07.877Z
2017-04-19T15:49:07.877Z
Aman Khandelwal
<p>Why does one crave facebook likes or a pat on the back. Our actions are always governed by this phenomenon, and I don't understand why.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-30T19:50:19.787Z
I originally read your question as "the experience of appreciating things", but it sounds more like you are talking about accumulating "social capital" - likes, followers, reputation, etc.
Alex Stone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-30T20:33:55.817Z
Ya the latter. I wish to understand the reason behind this behavior.
user2012643
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-01T06:16:48.187Z
[As humans who experience anticipation...thus increasing our chances of survival.](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-addicted-to-inform/)
BCLC
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-01T06:16:52.520Z
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Reinforcement
BCLC
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-16T08:32:54.550Z
Some need that reassurance that they are still valid, that they looks good / sexy, that their posessions are the luxurious / fines / shiniest from the city and so on..
adrianlazar.tm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-16T09:04:34.450Z
@adrianlazar.tm - Welcome to CogSci and thanks for your contribution. However, answers should not be just a one-liner, instead they should elaborate on the key issyes and be backed up by references. I have converted your answer to a comment.
AliceD
<emotion><personality>
Why does appreciation make us happy?
user2012643
# Why does appreciation make us happy?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-29)

Why does one crave facebook likes or a pat on the back. Our actions are always governed by this phenomenon, and I don't understand why.

**Tags:** emotion, personality

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I originally read your question as "the experience of appreciating things", but it sounds more like you are talking about accumulating "social capital" - likes, followers, reputation, etc.  
> **username_0**: Ya the latter. I wish to understand the reason behind this behavior.  
> **username_2**: [As humans who experience anticipation...thus increasing our chances of survival.](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-addicted-to-inform/)  
> **username_2**: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement#Reinforcement  
> **username_3**: Some need that reassurance that they are still valid, that they looks good / sexy, that their posessions are the luxurious / fines / shiniest from the city and so on..  
> **username_4**: @username_3 - Welcome to CogSci and thanks for your contribution. However, answers should not be just a one-liner, instead they should elaborate on the key issyes and be backed up by references. I have converted your answer to a comment.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-04-19. Score: 3

From a biological viewpoint, these experiences are associated with the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, which activate the "reward pathway" of the brain that is associated with feelings of happiness and mood alleviation. Since these are pleasurable experiences, we crave more and more of it, which is why a lot of our actions are governed by it.

**References**:

The Science of Happiness. (2016). More Good Deeds. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <https://www.moregooddeeds.org/blog/2017/1/20/the-science-of-happiness>

Fehlhaber, K. (2012). The Reward Pathway Reinforces Behavior - Knowing Neurons. Knowing Neurons. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <http://knowingneurons.com/2012/10/31/the-reward-pathway-reinforces-behavior/>

Icahn School of Medicine | Neuroscience Department | Nestler Lab | Brain Reward Pathways. (2017). Neuroscience.mssm.edu. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <http://neuroscience.mssm.edu/nestler/brainRewardpathways.html>

Know your brain: Reward system. (2015). Neuroscientifically Challenged. Retrieved 19 April 2017, from <http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-reward-system>

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Hi Aman, Welcome at CogSci. Do you have any references that could back up these statements?  
> **username_5**: [link](https://www.moregooddeeds.org/blog/2017/1/20/the-science-of-happiness) This link has the explanations for the release of oxytocin and dopamine, along with other hormones and neurotransmitters  
> **username_5**: More information about the rewards pathway can be found in these sites: [link](http://knowingneurons.com/2012/10/31/the-reward-pathway-reinforces-behavior/) [link](http://neuroscience.mssm.edu/nestler/brainRewardpathways.html) [link](http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/know-your-brain-reward-system)  
> **username_4**: @AmanKhandelwal - please include those references in your answer proper  
> **username_5**: Maybe I could've phrased my response differently, but just to clarify the "why" is the activation of the reward pathway of the brain, the rest, I agree, is the "how". Also, the same situation can be analysed in terms of the cognitive and sociocultural levels of analyses as well. Since I only know the biological explanation for this phenomenon, I've confined my answer to that.  

---

