Emotional Brain Flashcards
What is the James-Lange theory of emotions?
Stimulus (BANG!) -> Perception/Interpretation of Danger-> ? -> ?
Emotions we feel are caused by bodily changes. Emotions differ due to different physiological responses.
Stimulus (BANG!) -> Perception/Interpretation of Danger-> Particular emotion felt (fear) -> Specific pattern of autonomic arousal (heart races)
What is folk psychology theory of emotions?
Stimulus (BANG!) -> Perception/Interpretation of Danger-> ? -> ?
autonomic responses (like stomach churning) are caused by emotions
Stimulus (BANG!) -> Perception/Interpretation of Danger-> Specific pattern of autonomic arousal (heart races) -> Particular emotion felt (fear)
Cannon-Bard theory of emotions? What part of the brain decides on the emotional response and also activates the sympathetic response?
emotions precede physiological responses and help deal with a changing environment.
The cerebral cortex.
What is Schachter’s cognitive theory of emotions?
Physiological responses are interpreted in terms of the stimuli.
An emotional state results from the interaction of physiological activation and cognitive interpretation.
(Fear/emotion provides feedback to interpretation)
In Schachter’s cognitive theory of emotions, all physiological arousal is nonspecific. Research shows different patterns of autonomic responses according to what?
Positive or negative emotions.
What does a polygraph measure? Is it reliable
No, measures bodily responses. (Like respiration, skin conductance, heart rate)
What is individual response stereotypy?
The tendency of individuals to have the same response patterns throughout their lives.
What do infants who are high reactives to stimuli (with extremely strong reactions) may later experience..?
Increased phobias or fear responses.
What tract in the brain contains many sites for self-stimulation? Which target in the dopaminergic circuit?
The medial forebrain bundle-rises from the midbrain through the hypothalamus.
-Also the nucleus accumbens.
How can distinct brain circuits mediate emotions? (The decorticate rage, the papez circuit, Kluver-Bucy syndrome)
Decorticate rage: sudden intense rage in dogs with cortex removed (cortex inhibits rage)
Papez circuit: interconnected brain regions within the limbic system, damaged in some patients
Kluver-Bucy: after amygdala damage= emotional changes like reduced fear and anxiety
How can classical conditioning elicit fear?
Pairing a stimulus with an aversive stimulus (like shock)
-Different regions of the amygdala (fear) react to the stimulus -> send message to central nucleus of amygdala -> transmits info to brainstem centres.
Which 3 types of emotional responses are evoked (parts of brain)?
1) central gray pathway= EMOTIONAL behav
2) lateral hypothalamus pathway- AUTONOMIC responses
3) bed nucleus of stria terminalis pathway- HORMONAL responses
How do the two cerebral hemispheres process emotion?
The right: discerns other’s emotions
Left side of the face is more expressive than the right.
What is the disposition of people with damage to the right hemisphere of the brain? damage to left?
right= very cheerful left= depressive symptoms
Visual stimuli in both sides of the brain?
right: reacts more quickly/accurately, better at understanding facial expressions, dominant in expressing emotions
Where does love and envy increase/decreasy activity in the brain?
look in book!
Sadness in brain regions?
Increase in anterior cingulate cortex, insula, dorsal pons.
Decrease in posterior cingulate cortex.
Happiness in brain regions?
Increase in right posterior cingulate cortex, left insula.
Decrease in left anterior cingulate cortex.
Fear in brain regions?
Increase in midbrain, decrease in orbitofrontal region of prefrontal cortex.
Anger in brain regions?
Increase pons, left anterior cingulate cortex.
Difference between fear x rage, fear x panic
rage= flight or fight
panic= more social context
both involve PAG periaqueductal gray matter and CRF corticotropin releasing hormone
Panic examples?
Imprinting, Attachment and separation, separation anxiety, loneliness, social phobias and anxiety (shyness?), social loss (grief), depression, etc.
Neuropharmacology of Fear + anxiety, what are most targeted neurotransmitter systems?
Gaba and serotonin
Types of tranquilizers/anxiolytics: (sedative-hypnotics, CNS depressants)
- Barbiturates (pre-80’s): e.g., Phenobarbital (Luminal)
- Benzodiazepines: Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam
- Second generation: Buspirone (BuSpar); 5-ht1a receptors