The Psychology of Everyday Life: Motivation and the Search For Happiness

The Biology of Money

How strongly does the reward system affect motivation?

It must be kept in mind that the reward system has a very powerful effect on motivation. When it is really firing, our desire can be overwhelming. In the most extreme state, we experience addictive craving, which can overpower any consideration of danger or future consequences. So, when we are caught up in the thrill of making money, our reward system can overpower the inhibiting (and cautionary) effect of the frontal lobe.