Task 5 - The Limbic System

Question 1

What is included in the limbic system?

6

Answer 1

1. Hippocampus
2. Amygdala
3. Hypothalamus
4. Thalamus
5. Cingulate gyrus
6. Fornix

Question 2

William James’ peripheral feedback theory

Answer 2

Motions arise from the perception of physiological changes in the body that occur in response to a stimulus.
In other words, instead of emotions causing bodily responses, bodily responses actually cause emotions.

Question 3

Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

Answer 3

• Both the emotional experience and the physiological response happen at the same time.
  Emphasizes the role of the thalamus:
• Sensory information from the environment is first relayed to the thalamus, which sends signals simultaneously to the cortex (emotional experience) and to the hypothalamus (physiological responses).

Question 4

Limbic arousal

Answer 4

• Mediated by structures within the limbic system
• Influences alertness through emotional stimuli

Question 5

Non-limbic arousal

Answer 5

• Regulated by the reticular activating system
• Maintains wakefulness and alertness regardless of emotions
• Relies on sensory input and neurotransmitter activity

Question 6

Sham rage

Answer 6

• Effect of removing forebrain including hypothalamus in cats
• They show rage responses but they fail to bite or strike out, and the rage behavior disappears very quickly after removal of the eliciting stimulus

Question 7

3 subdivisions of the amygdala

Answer 7

1. Medial group: Has extensive connections with the olfactory bulb & olfactory cortex
2. Basal-lateral group: Connections with the cerebral cortex
3. Central & anterior group: Characterized by connections with the hypothalamus & brainstem

Question 8

Stress response

Answer 8

A coordinated reaction to threatening stimuli. It is characterized by the following:
* Avoidance behavior
* Increased vigilance & arousal
* Activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
* Release of cortisol from the adrenal glands

Question 9

HPA axis

Answer 9

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Regulates the secretion of cortisol from the adrenal gland in response to stress

Question 10

Nieuwenhuys model of the limbic system

Answer 10

1. Brocas limbic cortex
2. Hypothalamus
3. Amygdala
4. Hippocampus
5. Rhinencephalon