Your Brain at Work

It is not clear to me from this article whether research indicates that the neurotransmitter dopamine produces an expectation or is the result of anticipation. It seems to me that anticipation would (more fully) activate the brain so that further thinking, sensory awareness and action can take place to produce or not prevent the expected outcome. A neurotransmitter is that activating agent. The unexpected reward would take more activation, since an effective course of action is not yet known and so that memory of what preceded the reward is retained for the future. If one concludes that one has no control over the situation (frustration), then there is no longer a need for increased brain activation and neurotransmitter levels would drop. The current line of though was not productive and is to be ended. As indicated in articles before this one, the brain conserves energy and chemical production.

There seems to be a parallel with adrenaline production in anticipation of muscular activity (fight or flight). Circulation and respiration increase to get skeletal muscles at the optimal temperature, carry oxygen to and waste products away. Too much adrenaline produces muscle jitter. Does too much dopamine produce erratic thinking?

In practice, a coach can not measure dopamine levels directly. What cues are available to the coach and client as an indication that the client is engaged and the brain is in an environment such that creative thinking and insight could occur?