I think that if we replace the Thought Assessor & Steering Subsystem with the function “RPE = +∞ (regardless of what’s going on)”, the result is a manic episode, and if we replace it with the function “RPE = -∞ (regardless of what’s going on)”, the result is a depressive episode.
In other words, the manic episode would be kinda like the brainstem saying “Whatever thought you’re thinking right now is a great thought! Whatever you’re planning is an awesome plan! Go forth and carry that plan out with gusto!!!!” And the depressive episode would be kinda like the brainstem saying “Whatever thought you’re thinking right now is a terrible thought. Stop thinking that thought! Think about anything else! Heck, think about nothing whatsoever! Please, anything but that thought!”
My thoughts about sociopathy are here. Sociopaths can be impulsive (like everyone), but it doesn’t strike me as a central characteristic, as it is in mania. I think there might sometimes be situations where a sociopath does X, and onlookers characterize it as impulsive, but in fact it’s just what the sociopath wanted to do, all things considered, stemming from different preferences / different reward function. For example, my impression is that sociopaths get very bored very easily, and will do something that seems crazy and inexplicable from a neurotypical perspective, but seems a good way to alleviate boredom from their own perspective.
(Epistemic status: Very much not an expert on mania or depression, I’ve just read a couple papers. I’ve read a larger number of books and papers on sociopathy / psychopathy (which think are synonyms?), plus there were two sociopaths in my life that I got to know reasonably well, unfortunately. More of my comments about depression here.)
Huh. I would have invoked a different disorder.
I think that if we replace the Thought Assessor & Steering Subsystem with the function “RPE = +∞ (regardless of what’s going on)”, the result is a manic episode, and if we replace it with the function “RPE = -∞ (regardless of what’s going on)”, the result is a depressive episode.
In other words, the manic episode would be kinda like the brainstem saying “Whatever thought you’re thinking right now is a great thought! Whatever you’re planning is an awesome plan! Go forth and carry that plan out with gusto!!!!” And the depressive episode would be kinda like the brainstem saying “Whatever thought you’re thinking right now is a terrible thought. Stop thinking that thought! Think about anything else! Heck, think about nothing whatsoever! Please, anything but that thought!”
My thoughts about sociopathy are here. Sociopaths can be impulsive (like everyone), but it doesn’t strike me as a central characteristic, as it is in mania. I think there might sometimes be situations where a sociopath does X, and onlookers characterize it as impulsive, but in fact it’s just what the sociopath wanted to do, all things considered, stemming from different preferences / different reward function. For example, my impression is that sociopaths get very bored very easily, and will do something that seems crazy and inexplicable from a neurotypical perspective, but seems a good way to alleviate boredom from their own perspective.
(Epistemic status: Very much not an expert on mania or depression, I’ve just read a couple papers. I’ve read a larger number of books and papers on sociopathy / psychopathy (which think are synonyms?), plus there were two sociopaths in my life that I got to know reasonably well, unfortunately. More of my comments about depression here.)