psychological psychology
NA19811981
14.Emotion.pptPhysiological Basis of Emotion
For Discussion…
- Why do we have emotions? Could we live life successfully without them?
How does an emotion develop?
“We do not smile because we are happy…we are happy because we smile.” --William James
How does an emotion develop?
James-Lange theory:
- Physiological arousal ☞ emotion
Schacter’s two-factor theory:
- Physiological arousal ☞ intensity of emotion
- Cognitive awareness ☞ identity of emotion
Panic Attacks illustrate the cognitive component of emotion
Perception
Cognitive reaction:
“Oh, no!”
Physical
Symptom(s)
Feeling
Cingulate Gyrus
Olfactory
Bulb
Brain Centers of Emotion: Limbic System
Hypothalamus—
- Regulates autonomic nervous system
- “motives” such as hunger, sex, wakefulness
Cingulate Gyrus
Olfactory
Bulb
Brain Centers of Emotion: Limbic System
Hypothalamus—
- Regulates autonomic nervous system
- “motives” such as hunger, sex, wakefulness
Hippocampus—memory formation
Olfactory bulb—nostalgia, disgust
Cingulate Gyrus
Olfactory
Bulb
Brain Centers of Emotion: Limbic System
Hypothalamus—
- Regulates autonomic nervous system
- “motives” such as hunger, sex, wakefulness
Hippocampus—memory formation
Olfactory bulb—nostalgia, disgust
Cingulate gyrus—
- Conscious emotional experience
- emotional aspects of pain
Cingulate Gyrus
Olfactory
Bulb
Brain Centers of Emotion: Limbic System
Hypothalamus—
- Regulates autonomic nervous system
- “motives” such as hunger, sex, wakefulness
Hippocampus—memory formation
Olfactory bulb—nostalgia, disgust
Cingulate gyrus—
- Conscious emotional experience
- emotional aspects of pain
Amygdala—fight or flight; emotional reaction to stimuli
Is it better to make decisions based upon logic or upon emotion?
What if there is Amygdala damage?
Traveling on a lonely stretch of interstate, you see a sign which says, “Speed Limit: 60 m.p.h.” You are going 70 m.p.h. You see no cars in front of you, and looking in your rear view mirror you see a black sports car behind you. What will you do?
speed up
stay the same speed
slow down to the speed limit
pull over
What if there is Amygdala damage?
Traveling on a lonely stretch of interstate, you see a sign which says, “Speed Limit: 60 m.p.h.” You are going 70 m.p.h. You see no cars in front of you, and looking in your rear view mirror you see a black police car behind you. What will you do?
speed up
stay the same speed
slow down to the speed limit
pull over
Emotion is necessary for logical decision-making.
Pre-frontal
Cortex
Pre-Frontal Cortex
- “logical” aspects of emotion
- Moral behavior
- Weigh consequences of actions
- Moderating effect on limbic system
- Matures - teens, early 20’s
What if there is Prefrontal Cortex damage?
You are walking through a store parking lot when a bedraggled looking man comes up to you and asks you to give him some money. In his hand is an empty wallet and he holds it up where you can see it. What will you do?
tell him “no”
turn around and walk away
give him all your money
tell him you can spare him a few dollars
You are walking through a store parking lot when a bedraggled looking man comes up to you and asks you to give him some money. In his hand is a pistol, and he holds it up where you can see it. What will you do?
tell him “no”
turn around and walk away
give him all your money
tell him you can spare him a few dollars
Hemispheric Differences
in Emotion
Right Hemisphere:
- More responsive to observed emotion.
- Damage—weakens emotional expression.
- More activated in negative emotion.
- Greater activity—shyness.
Left Hemisphere:
- May inhibit responses to observed emotion.
- Damage—stronger emotional expression.
- More activated in positive emotion.
- Greater activity—sociability, enjoyment.
Stress!
Discussion Question…
- What do you notice in yourself immediately when you face a stressful situation? What happens if the stressor continues for several days or weeks?
The Brain and Stress
2 biological stress response pathways:
- “visible” & “invisible”
- Both begin with the hypothalamus
“Visible” Stress Response:
Autonomic NS
Sympathetic NS—Release of epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine
Parasympathetic NS—non-emergency responses of organs
Stress-related ANS activity influences health:
- Heart attacks, Stroke, Ulcers
- Parasympathetic Overshoot
“Visible” Stress Response:
Autonomic NS
Sympathetic NS—prepare internal organs for vigorous activity.
- Release of epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine
- Increases heart rate, blood pressure, glucose availability
Parasympathetic NS—non-emergency responses of organs
- Decreased blood pressure, heart rate, glucose storage
Stress-related ANS activity influences health:
- Heart attacks, Stroke, Ulcers
- Parasympathetic Overshoot
“Invisible” Stress Response:
HPA Axis
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Adrenal cortex
Cortisol (hormone)
“Invisible” Stress Response:
HPA Axis
Cortisol—mobilizes body to cope with stress.
- Increases metabolism, long-term glucose availability
- Beneficial in the short term
- Harmful in the long run
What influences the harmful effects of cortisol?
- Perceptions of control & predictability
- Social support
- Giving up, resigning oneself to the stressor
Aggression
Temporal lobe epilepsy (rare)
Prefrontal cortex damage
High-risk chemical recipe:
- Low serotonin
- High testosterone
- Low cortisol
