Mauricio R. Papini Professor Department of Psychology Texas Christian University Box 298920 Fort Worth, TX 76129 Tel. 817-257-6084 email:m.papini@tcu.edu

D. O. Hebb Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award American Psychological Association Division 6 - Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology Washinbton DC, August, 2023.

"Comparative Learning and Cognition" Taylor & Francis, 2026.

"Evolution of Learning and Memory Mechanisms" M. Krause, K. L. Hollis, & M. R. Papini (Eds.) Cambridge University Press, 2022.

"Comparative Psychology: Evolution and Development of Brain and Behavior" Third Edition, Taylor & Francis, 2021.

For modifiable PowerPoints of figures included in
"Comparative Psychology: Evolution and Development of Brain and Behavior," Third Edition
click here and scroll to eResources

First edition, 2002.

Japanese, 2005.

Spanish, 2009.

Second edition, 2008.

Behavioral neuroscience of frustrative nonreward

I am interested in the comparative neuroscience of anxiety and frustration in situations involving surprising reward loss. Frustrative nonreward is a source of emotional modulation. This research shows that reward loss can lead to behavioral suppression, drive induction, attentional enhancement, changes in agonistic behavior, modulation of pain sensitivity, and consumption of substances with addictive potential. Some of the mechanisms underlying adjustment to unexpected reward loss are hypothesized to be unique to mammals. Comparative research indicates that the type of adjustment observed in basal vertebrates (e.g., amphibians) is purely cognitive, lacking the emotional tone commonly observed in analogous experiments with mammals. The goal of this research is to contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of learning mechanisms, the interface between learning and emotion, and the neurobehavioral basis of anxiety disorders. Current behavioral paradigms include consummatory successive negative contrast, Pavlovian successive negative contrast (choice), and open field testing. The neuroscience kit includes excitatory and inhibitory DREADDs (chemogenetics), retrograde tracing, and immunohistochemistry, with male and female Wistar rats.

Current Research Lines

*Neural connectome underlying reward loss.
*Role of limbic and striatal regions in reward loss.
*Effects of reward downshifts on choice.
*Factors modulating recovery from reward loss.

Special articles

Green, T. A., Leibenluft, E., Li, Z., Ogawa, M., Sabariego, M., Mármol Contreras, Y., Bellaert, N., & Papini, M. R. (2026). Frustrative nonreward: A century of progress. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 185, 106651.
[Abstract]

Torres, C., Papini, M. R., & Huffman, M. A. (2025). Psychological self-medication in mammals: A dialogue between natural observations and laboratory research. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 140, 84-100.
[Abstract]

Papini, M. R. (2024). Behavioral plasticity in aneural organisms. Psychological Review, 132, 1074-1089.
[Abstract]

Papini, M. R., Green, T. A., Marmol Contreras, Y., Torres, C., Ogawa, M., & Li, Z. (2024). Frustrative nonreward: Behavior, circuits, neurochemistry, and disorders. Journal of Neuroscience, 44, e1021242024.
[Abstract]

Selected behavioral studies

Rodriguez, M., Puddington, M. M., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, R. N. (2024). Transfer between tasks involving frustrative nonreward in rats: From consummatory to instrumental successive negative contrast. Learning & Motivation, 87, 101998.
[PDF version]
Fernandez, R. C., Puddington, M. M., Kliger, R., Del Core, J., Jure, I., Labombarda, F., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, N. R. (2024). Instrumental successive negative contrast in rats: Trial distribution, reward magnitude, and prefrontal cortex activation. Physiology & Behavior, 278, 114511.
[PDF version]
Hagen, C., Ogallar, P., & Papini, M. R. (2023). Open field activity is linked to, but is not affected by, the rate of recovery from reward downshift in female Wistar rats. Behavioural Processes, 213, 104966.
[PDF version]
Guarino, S., Conrad, S. E., & Papini, M. R. (2020a). Control of free-choice consummatory behavior by absolute reward value. Learning & Motivation, 72, 101682.
[PDF version]
Thompson, J. B., Daniel, A. M., Rushing, B. G., & Papini, M. R. (2021). Recovery profiles from reward downshift are correlated with operant licking maintained by alcohol, but not with genetic variation in the mu opioid receptor. Physiology & Behavior, 228, 113192.
[PDF version]
Thompson, J. B., Conrad, S. E., Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2020). Inescapable exposure to the Barnes maze increases preference for alcohol over water in rats: Implications for depression and anxiety. Learning & Motivation, 69, 101602.
[PDF version]
Conrad, S. E., & Papini, M. R. (2018). Reward shifts in forced-choice and free-choice autoshaping with rats. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition, 44, 422-440.
[PDF version]
Glueck, A. C., Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2018). Transfer between anticipatory and consummatory tasks involving reward loss. Learning & Motivation, 63, 105-125.
[PDF version]
De la Casa, L. G., Mena, A., Ruiz-Salas, J. C., Quintero, E., & Papini, M. R. (2018). Reward devaluation disrupts latent inhibition in fear conditioning. Learning & Behavior, 46, 49-59.
[PDF version]
Jimenez-Garcia, A. M., Ruiz-Leyva, L., Cendan, C. M., Torres, C., Papini, M. R., & Moron, I. (2016). Hypoalgesia induced by reward devaluation in rats. PLoS One, 11, 1-15.
[PDF version]
Annicchiarico, I., Glueck, A. C., Cuenya, L., Kawasaki, K., Conrad, S. E., & Papini, M. R. (2016). Complex effects of reward upshift on consummatory behavior. Behavioural Processes, 129, 54-67.
[PDF version]
Manzo, L., Gomez, M. J., Callejas-Aguilera, J. E., Fernandez-Teruel, A., Papini, M. R., & Torres, C. (2015). Partial reinforcement reduces vulnerability to anti-anxiety self-medication during appetitive extinction. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 28, 1-8.
[PDF version]
Papini, S., Galatzer-Levy, I. R., & Papini, M. R. (2014). Identifying profiles of recovery from reward devaluation in rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 275, 212-218.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L.A., Prado-Rivera, M.A., Cardenas-Poveda, D. C., McLinden, K.A., Glueck, A.C., Gutierrez, G., Lamprea, M.R., & Papini, M.R. (2013) Tests of the aversive summation hypothesis in rats: Effects of restraint stress on consummatory successive negative contrast and extinction in the Barnes maze. Learning and Motivation, 44, 159-173.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L. A., Daniel, A. M., Davis, J. B., Fuchs, P. N., & Papini, M. R. (2011). Peripheral pain enhances the effects of incentive downshifts. Learning and Motivation, 42, 203-209.
[PDF version]
Pellegrini, S., & Papini, M. R. (2007). Scaling relative incentive value in anticipatory behavior. Learning and Motivation, 38, 128-154.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., & Pellegrini, S. (2006). Scaling relative incentive value in consummatory behavior. Learning and Motivation, 37, 357-378.
[PDF version]
Mustaca, A. E., & Papini, M. R. (2005). Consummatory successive negative contrast induces hypoalgesia. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 18, 255-262.
[PDF version]
Stout, S., Boughner, R. L., & Papini, M. R. (2003). Reexamining the frustration effect in rats: Aftereffects of surprising reinforcement and nonreinforcement. Learning and Motivation, 34, 437-456.
[PDF version]

Selected neurobehavioral studies

Hagen, C. W., Suarez, J. A., & Papini, M. R. (2025). Frustrative nonreward, sucrose consumption, and the basal ganglia: Role of chemogenetic activation of projections from the nucleus accumbens to the globus pallidus internus, globus pallidus externus, and ventral pallidum. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 220, 108073.
[PDF version]
Hagen, C., Hoxha, M., Chitale, S., White, A. O., Ogallar, P. M., Exposito, A. N., Aguera, A. D. R., Torres, C., Papini, M. R., & Sabariego M. (2024). Flexible behavioral adjustment to frustrative nonreward in anticipatory behavior, but not in consummatory behavior, requires the dorsal hippocampus. Hippocampus, 7.
[PDF version]
Arjol, D., Aguera, A. D. R., Hagen, C., Papini, M. R. (2024). Frustrative nonreward: Detailed c-Fos expression patterns in the amygdala after consummatory successive negative contrast. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 213, 107942.
[PDF version]
Guarino, S., Hagen, C., Nguyen, Q., & Papini, M. R. (2023). Frustrative nonreward and the basal ganglia: Chemogenetic inhibition and excitation of the nucleus accumbens and globus pallidus externus during reward downshift. Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, 200, 107736.
[PDF version]
Ruiz-Salas, J. C., de la Casa, L. G., Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2022). Psychological pain and opioid receptors: Reward downshift is disrupted when tested in a context signaling morphine. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 216, 173386.
[PDF version]
Guarino, S., Conrad, S. E., & Papini, M. R. (2020). Frustrative nonreward: Chemogenetic inactivation of the central amygdala abolishes the effect of reward downshift without affecting alcohol intake. Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, 169, 107173.
[PDF version]
Donaire, R., Mor n, I., Blanco, S., Villatoro, A., G miz, F., Papini, M. R., & Torres, C. (2019). Lateral habenula lesions disrupt appetitive extinction, but do not affect voluntary alcohol consumption. Neuroscience Letters, 703, 184-190.
[PDF version]
Kawasaki, K., Annicchiarico, I., Glueck, A. C., Moron, I., & Papini, M. R. (2017). Reward loss and the basolateral amygdala: A function in reward comparisons. Behavioural Brain Research, 331, 205-213.
[PDF version]
Torres, C., Glueck, A. C., Conrad, S. E., Moron, I., & Papini, M. R. (2016). Dorsomedial striatum lesions affect adjustment to reward uncertainty, but not to reward devaluation or omission. Neuroscience, 332, 13-25.
[PDF version]
Kawasaki, K., Glueck, A. C., Annicchiarico, I., & Papini, M. R. (2015). Function of the centromedial amygdala in reward devaluation and open-field activity. Neuroscience, 303, 73-81.
[PDF version]
Glueck, A. C., Dennis, T. S., Perrotti, L. I., Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2015). Brain expression of pCREB in rats exposed to consummatory successive negative contrast. Neuroscience Letters, 587, 93-97.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L. A., Glueck, A. C., Daniel, A. M., Prado-Rivera, M. A., White, M. M., & Papini, M. R. (2013). Memory interfering effects of chlordiazepoxide on consummatory successive negative contrast. Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior, 116, 96-106.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L. A., Glueck, A. C., Uhelski, M., Fuchs, P. N., & Papini, M. R. (2013). Role of the ventrolateral orbital cortex and medial prefrontal cortx in incentive downshift situations. Behavioural Brain Research, 244, 120-129.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L. A., Uhelski, M., Fuchs, P. N., & Papini, M. R. (2011). Impairment of recovery from incentive downshift after lesions of the anterior cingulate cortex: Emotional or cognitive deficits? Behavioral Neuroscience, 125, 988-995.
[PDF version]
Norris, J. N., Ortega, L. A., & Papini, M. R. (2011). Posttrial D-cycloserine enhances the emotional memory of an incentive downshift event. Behavioural Brain Research, 223, 348-355.
[PDF version]
Norris, J. N., Perez-Acosta, A. M., Ortega, L. A., & Papini, M. R. (2009). Naloxone facilitates appetitive extinction and eliminates escape from frustration. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 94, 81-87.
[PDF version]
Daniel, A. M., Ortega, L. A., & Papini, M. R. (2009). Role of the opioid system in incentive downshift situations. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 92, 439-450.
[PDF version]
Ruetti, E., Justel, N., Mustaca, A. E., & Papini, M. R. (2009). Posttrial corticosterone administration enhances the effects of incentive downshift: Exploring the boundaries of this effect. Behavioral Neuroscience, 123, 137-144.
[PDF version]
Wood, M., Norris, J. N., Daniel, A. M., & Papini, M. R. (2008). Trial-selective effects of U50,488H, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist, on consummatory successive negative contrast. Behavioural Brain Research, 193, 28-36.
[PDF version]
Bentosela, M., Ruetti, E., Muzio, R. N., Mustaca, A. E., & Papini, M. R. (2006). Administration of corticosterone after the first downshift trial enhances consummatory successive negative contrast. Behavioral Neuroscience, 120, 371-376.
[PDF version]
Wood, M., Daniel, A. M., & Papini, M. R. (2005). Selective effects of the delta opioid receptor agonist DPDPE on consummatory successive negative contrast. Behavioral Neuroscience, 119, 446-454.
[PDF version]
Pellegrini, S., Wood, M., Daniel, A. M., & Papini, M. R. (2005). Opioid receptors modulate recovery from consummatory successive negative contrast. Behavioural Brain Research, 164, 239-249.
[PDF version]
Portavella, M., Torres, B., Salas, C., & Papini, M. R. (2004). Lesions of the medial pallium, but not of the lateral pallium, disrupt spaced-trial avoidance learning in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Neuroscience Letters, 362, 75-78.
[PDF version]
Thomas, B. L., & Papini, M. R. (2001). Adrenalectomy eliminates the extinction spike in autoshaping with rats. Physiology and Behavior, 62, 543-547.
[PDF version]

Selected comparative studies

Fernandez, R. C., Puddington, M. M., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, N. R. (2024). Runway extinction in terrestrial TOADS (Rhinella arenarum): Instrumental or Pavlovian? Behavioural Processes, 220, 105070.
[PDF version]
Conrad, S. E., Guarino, S., & Papini, M. R. (2020). Surprising nonreward and response effort: Extinction after progressive-ratio training in RATS and PIGEONS. Learning & Motivation, 72, 101676.
[PDF version]
Puddington, M. M., Daneri, M. R., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, R. N. (2016). Telencephalic neural activation following passive avoidance learning in a terrestrial TOAD. Behavioural Brain Research, 315, 75-82.
[PDF version]
Puddington, M. M., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, R. N. (2013). Vulnerability of long-term memory to temporal delays in AMPHIBIANS. Behavioural Processes, 99, 7-11.
[PDF version]
Buritic , J., Ortega, L. A., Papini, M. R., & Guti rrez, G. (2013). Extinction of food-reinforced instrumental behavior in Japanese QUAIL (Coturnix japonica). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 127, 33-39.
[PDF version]
Muzio, R. N., Pistone-Creydt, V., Iurman, M., Rinaldi, M. A., Sirani, B., & Papini, M. R. (2011). Incentive or habit learning in AMPHIBIANS? PLoS One, 6, 1-12.
[PDF version]
Bentosela, M., Jakovcevic, A., Elgier, A. M., Mustaca, A. E., & Papini, M. R. (2009). Incentive contrast in domestic DOGS (Canis familiaris). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 123, 125-130.
[PDF version]
Pellegrini, S., Lopez-Seal, F., & Papini, M. R. (2008). Scaling relative incentive value: Different adjustments to incentive downshift in PIGEONS and RATS. Behavioural Processes, 79, 182-188.
[PDF version]
Daneri, M. F., Papini, M. R., & Muzio, R. N. (2007). TOADS learn to anticipate and avoid hyperosmotic saline solutions. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 121, 419-427.
[PDF version]
Muzio, R. N., Ruetti, E., & Papini, M. R. (2006). Determinants of extinction in terrestrial TOADS (Bufo arenarum). Learning & Motivation, 37, 346-356.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Thomas, B. L., & McVicar, D. G. (2002). Between-subject PREE and within-subject reversed PREE in spaced-trial extinction with PIGEONS. Learning and Motivation, 33, 485-509.
[PDF version]
Mustaca, A. E., Bentosela, M., & Papini, M. R. (2000). Consummatory successive negative contrast in MICE. Learning and Motivation, 31, 272-282.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R. (1997). Role of reinforcement in spaced-trial operant learning in PIGEONS. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 111, 275-285.
[PDF version]
Ishida, M., & Papini, M. R. (1997). Massed-trial overtraining effects on extinction and reversal performance in TURTLES (Geoclemys reevesii). Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 50B, 1-16.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Mustaca, A. E., & Bitterman, M. E. (1988). Successive negative contrast in the consummatory behavior of DIDELPHID MARSUPIALS. Animal Learning and Behavior, 16, 53-57.
[PDF version]

Selected reviews

Green, T. A., Leibenluft, E., Li, Z., Ogawa, M., Sabariego, M., Mármol Contreras, Y., Bellaert, N., & Papini, M. R. (2026). Frustrative nonreward: A century of progress. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 185, 106651.
[Abstract]
Torres, C., Papini, M. R., & Huffman, M. A. (2025). Psychological self-medication in mammals: A dialogue between natural observations and laboratory research. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 140, 84-100.
[Abstract]
Papini, M. R., Green, T. A., Marmol Contreras, Y., Torres, C., Ogawa, M., & Li, Z. (2024). Frustrative nonreward: Behavior, circuits, neurochemistry, and disorders. Journal of Neuroscience, 44, e1021242024.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Guarino, S., Hagen, C., & Torres, C. (2022). Incentive disengagement and the adaptive significance of frustrative nonreward. Learning & Behavior
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Penagos-Corzo, J. C., & P rez-Acosta, A. M. (2019). Avian emotions: Comparative perspectives on fear and frustration. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2707.
[PDF version]
Ortega, L. A., Solano, J. L., Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2017). Reward loss and addiction: Opportunities for cross-pollination. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 154, 39-52.
[PDF version]
Torres, C., & Papini, M. R. (2016). Emotional self-medication and addiction. In V. R. Preedy (Ed.), Neuropathology of drug addiction and substance misuse, Vol. 1 (pp. 71-81). New York: Elsevier.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Fuchs, P. N., & Torres, C. (2015). Behavioral neuroscience of psychological pain. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 48, 53-69.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R. (2014). Diversity of adjustments to reward downshift in vertebrates. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 27, 420-445.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R. (2009). Role of opioid receptors in incentive contrast. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 22, 170-187.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., Wood, M., Daniel, A. M., & Norris, J. N. (2006). Reward loss as psychological pain. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 6, 189-213.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R. (2003). Comparative psychology of surprising nonreward. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 62, 83-95.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R. (2002). Pattern and process in the evolution of learning. Psychological Review, 109,186-201.
[PDF version]
Papini, M. R., & Dudley, R. T. (1997). Consequences of surprising reward omissions. Review of General Psychology, 1, 175-197.
[PDF version]

Papini Lab

Current research team at TCU:
Jessica Suarez, graduate student
Adrienne Drickamer, undergraduate student
Catalina Sheehan, undergraduate student

PhDs from the TCU lab and their first position after graduation:
Chris Hagen (2024; research scientist, Cook Children's Medical Center, TX)
Sara Guarino (2021; postdoctoral fellow, University of Texas at Austin Medical School, TX)
Joanna B. Thompson (2019; assistant professor, McNeese State University, LA)
Amanda C. Glueck (2015; researcher, Naval Medical Research Center, MD)
Leonardo A. Ortega (2011; postdoctoral fellow, Temple University, PA)
Jacob N. Norris (2009; Naval LT Navy Medical Service Corp, Naval Health Research Center, CA)
Alan M. Daniel (2008; postdoctoral fellow, Rutgers University, NJ)
Michael D. Wood (2006; CPT Army Medical Service Corps, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, MD)
Robert L. Boughner (2003; assistant professor, Rogers State University, OK)
Steven C. Stout (2001; postdoctoral fellow, Binghamton University, NY)
Brian L. Thomas (2001; postdoctoral fellow, University of Massachussetts-Amherst, MA)
R. Thomas Dudley (1994; assistant professor, Tarleton State University, TX)

Complete Curriculum Vitae [PDF file]

Courses
30433-Experimental Psychology: Motivation
30473-Comparative Psychology
60553-Conditioning and Learning

http://personal.tcu.edu/papini/index.htm
Last updated: 28/May/2026
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