The social and emotional brain

Question 1

A state associated with stimuli that are rewarding (that one works to obtain) or punishing (that one works to avoid). These stimuli often have an inherent survival value

Answer 1

Emotion

Question 2

The process of inferring or attributing mental states to others

Answer 2

Mentalizing

Question 3

The process of sharing the emotions or mental states of others

Answer 3

Mirroring

Question 4

An emotional state that is extended over time

Answer 4

Mood

Question 5

External motor outcomes in the face and body associated with emotional states

Answer 5

Expression

Question 6

The self-perception of bodily changes produces emotional experience (ex: one is sad because one cries)

Answer 6

James-Lange theory

Question 7

Theory centered on the hypothalamus’ role in emotions in which bodily responses occur after the emotion itself

Answer 7

Cannon-Bard theory

Question 8

A limbic-based circuit that was once thought to constitute a largely undifferentiated “emotional” brain

Answer 8

Papez circuit

Question 9

Different categories of emotions assumed to be independent of culture and with their own biological basis (in terms of evolution and neural substrate)

Answer 9

Basic emotions

Question 10

Emotions that are related to the behavior of oneself (in relation to others) or the behavior of others (in relation to oneself or others)

Answer 10

Moral emotions

Question 11

Part of the limbic system, implicated in learning the emotional value of stimuli (ex: in fear conditioning)

Answer 11

Amygdala

Question 12

In monkeys after bilateral amygdala and temporal lesions, an unusual tameness and emotional blunting; a tendency to examine objects with the mouth; and dietary changes

Answer 12

Kluver-Bucy syndrome

Question 13

Changes in electrical conductivity on a person’s skin, triggered by certain stimuli (ex: emotional or familiar stimuli)

Answer 13

Skin conductance response (SCR)

Question 14

A region of cortex buried beneath the temporal lobes; involved in body perception and contains the primary gustatory cortex; responds to disgust

Answer 14

Insula

Question 15

A sensory system for monitoring the internal state of the body (ex: heart rate)

Answer 15

Interoception

Question 16

Learning that a previously rewarded stimulus is no longer rewarded

Answer 16

Extinction learning

Question 17

Part of the basal ganglia that includes the nucleus accumbens; involved in a ‘limbic circuit’ connecting the orbitofrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus

Answer 17

Ventral striatum

Question 18

Other members of the same species

Answer 18

Conspecific

Question 19

The theory that we come
to understand others
(their emotions, actions,
mental states) by
vicariously producing their
current state in ourselves

Answer 19

Simulation theory

Question 20

The emotional response
of another person may
lead to avoidance or
interaction with a previously
neutral stimulus

Answer 20

Social referencing

Question 21

People report that their
acquaintances (spouse,
family, friends and so on)
have been replaced by
“body doubles”

Answer 21

Capgras syndrome

Question 22

The ability to represent
the mental states of
others (e.g., their beliefs,
desires, intentions)

Answer 22

Theory of mind

Question 23

The ability to appreciate
others’ points of view
and share their experiences

Answer 23

Empathy

Question 24

Neural circuits or regions
that disregard the distinction
between self and
other

Answer 24

Mirror systems

Question 25

The presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social
interaction and communication, and a markedly restricted repertoire of
activities and interests

Answer 25

Autism

Question 26

A variant of autism linked
to normal to high intelligence

Answer 26

Asperger syndrome

Question 27

A belief that differs from
one’s own belief and
that differs from the true
state of the world

Answer 27

False belief

Question 28

An account of autism in
which the social difficulties are considered as
a consequence of mirror-system dysfunction

Answer 28

Broken-mirror theory

Question 29

EEG oscillations at 8–13Hz
over the sensorimotor
cortex that are greatest
when participants are
at rest

Answer 29

Mu oscillations