It seems possible to me. A common strategy in religious groups is to steer for a wide barrier between them and particular temptations. This could be seen as a strategy for avoiding DA signals which would de-select for the behaviors encouraged by the religious group: no rewards are coming in for alternate behavior, so the best the DA can do is reinforce the types of reward which the PFC has restricted itself to.
This can be supplemented with modest rewards for desired behaviors, which force the DA to reinforce the inner optimizer’s desired behaviors.
Although is easier in a community which supports the behaviors, it’s entirely possible to do this to oneself in relative isolation, as well.
It seems possible to me. A common strategy in religious groups is to steer for a wide barrier between them and particular temptations. This could be seen as a strategy for avoiding DA signals which would de-select for the behaviors encouraged by the religious group: no rewards are coming in for alternate behavior, so the best the DA can do is reinforce the types of reward which the PFC has restricted itself to.
This can be supplemented with modest rewards for desired behaviors, which force the DA to reinforce the inner optimizer’s desired behaviors.
Although is easier in a community which supports the behaviors, it’s entirely possible to do this to oneself in relative isolation, as well.
Good point, I wasn’t thinking of social effects changing the incentive landscape.