{"id":1445,"slug":"schultz-1997-reward-prediction-error-dopamine-primate","title":"Schultz, Dayan & Montague (1997), Science 275 — reward-prediction-error signal: unpredicted rewards drive dopamine bursts; fully predicted ones don't; primate electrophysiology","kind":"reference","scope":"business","status":"current","audiences":["kevin","smb-owner","candid-team"],"topics":["behavioral-economics","variable-reinforcement-uncertainty"],"reference_body":"**Claim:** **Schultz, Dayan & Montague (1997), \"A Neural Substrate of Prediction and Reward,\" *Science* 275(5306), 1593-1599** — established the **reward-prediction-error signal** (unpredicted rewards drive dopamine bursts; fully predicted ones do not).\n\n**Source:** Schultz et al. (1997), Science.\n\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\n**Caveat:** **Primate electrophysiology — foundational for the *mechanism*, NOT evidence of benign human tool-engagement.** Do not overstate as direct tool evidence.\n\n**Why this matters for Candid:** Useful for *one-line* \"the brain treats surprise as more rewarding\" anchor. Do not cite as \"tools should be surprising.\" Pair with the benign behavioural evidence ([[shen-fishbach-hsee-2015-motivating-uncertainty-effect-jcr]]) for any practical claim.","rationale_body":null,"metadata":null,"links":{"outgoing":[],"incoming":[{"slug":"research-brief-engagement-mechanisms-top-up-smb-june-2026","title":"Research notes (capture-layer top-up): why interactive online tools are psychologically engaging — six additional mechanisms (June 2026)","kind":"research-notes","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"},{"slug":"fiorillo-tobler-schultz-2003-uncertainty-sustains-dopamine","title":"Fiorillo, Tobler & Schultz (2003), Science 299 — uncertainty sustains dopamine; the more direct neural correlate of the variable-reinforcement mechanism (still primate electrophysiology)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"depends-on"}]},"created_at":"2026-06-20T19:24:16.003Z","updated_at":"2026-06-20T19:24:16.003Z"}