Tutorial 06 Flashcards
James-Lange theory
Emotions are the interpretation of physiological responses triggered by external stimuli
The physical change will be felt first, and then the brain “understands” that it is a specific feeling (e.g. the emotion of fear).
Cannon-bard theory
Cannon-Bard theory as an argumentative critique to the James-Lange theory
Physiological changes and experience of emotion occur at the same time.
What do emotions represent?
Emotions represent short, transient episodes (phenomena) and a neurophysiological response to stimuli that evoke a system of components which prepare the organism to respond, together determining the organism’s behavior.
Autonomous, visceral phenomena
Governed by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
include changes in cardiovascular activity, muscle tension, sweating, pallor/redness of facial skin
Somatic, skeletal-motor interactions
Expressed through “body language” such as posture and movement (“fight or
flight”) and represent nonverbal communication.
Personal experience or subjective feeling of emotions
Internal, short-term responses to interoceptive signals, influencing orientation
Emotions like shame, anger, fear, sadness, jealousy, contempt are often concealed.
Feelings
(Raw data)
Feelings are the mental experiences of body states, including
physiological reactions like hunger, thirst, and pain.
Emotions
(Subjective feelings)
Emotions are complex psychological states that involve subjective experiences, physiological responses, and expressive behaviors. Our thoughts, memories, and experiences shape them and tend to be longer-lasting than feelings.
Fundamental dimensions of emotion: arousal and valence (hedonic tone)
Brain regions affected by addiction
Prefrontal cortex: decision-making, impulse control
Basal ganglia: reward & motivation, forming habits and behavior
Extended amygdala: stress & anxiety, fight or flight response
Where in the brain do we choose to try a drug?
Intention/decision is the executive portion of the brain, the prefrontal cortex
Which brain regions are active when consuming a drug?
Consumption of the drug : delivers a powerful stimulus to the nucleus accumbens, a cluster of nerve cells below the cerebral cortex, which responds quickly by releasing a flood of dopamine.
Which brain regions are primary sites where drugs of abuse interact with the processing of neural signals related to emotional reinforcement?
The nucleus accumbens and VTA ventral tegmental area
How is the Release of natural dopamine?
phasic, also subject to experience-dependent
plasticity
An Incentive-Sensitization Theory of Addiction” by Richard J. Robinson and Kent C. Berridge
proposes that addiction is driven by an enhanced wanting (craving) for drugs, rather than the liking (pleasure) of the drug itself.
incentive-sensitization of addiction
The theory suggests that repeated drug use sensitizes the brain’s reward system, particularly the dopamine system, making individuals more sensitive to drug-related cues, which increases craving and drug-seeking behavior.
This incentive-sensitization leads to a shift in the brain, where cues associated with the drug become more compelling, contributing to relapse.
Joseph LeDoux’s Theory
Fast and slow pathways
Fast pathway
X-system (reflexive)
“low road” a quick, reflexive response for immediate survival
Stimulus -> thalamus -> amygdala -> external response
Slow pathway
C-system (reflective)
„High road“
A slower, more evaluative response to thoughtful decision-making
Stimulus -> thalamus -> frontal cortex -> amygdala -> external response
Purpose and advantage of fast pathway
Purpose: Rapid, automatic emotional response to potential threats
Example: Jumping at a sudden sound before realizing it’s harmless
Advantage: Quick survival mechanism
Primes the body for immediate action
Dysregulation/overactive fast pathway can lead to …
PTSD/anxiety disorders
Purpose/advantage of slow pathway
Purpose: Detailed evaluation of the emotional stimulus
Example: Realizing the “snake” is actually a stick
Advantage: Enables nuanced and reasoned responses
Refines the response to prevent overreaction
Neurochemical basis of love
Oxytocin, dopamine, vasopressin
Oxytocin
“bonding hormone” or “love hormone” promotes trust, empathy, and social bonding.
Released during physical touch, childbirth, and intimate moments.
Enhances feelings of attachment and connection, especially in long-term relationships.
Dopamine
brain’s reward system, dopamine fuels feelings of pleasure and motivation.
Associated with the euphoria of romantic attraction.
Peaks during the early stages of love, creating feelings of excitement and infatuation.
Vasopressin
critical role in long-term pair bonding and monogamy.
Linked to loyalty and protective behaviors in relationships
Reward system – love
Romantic love activates regions involved in reward and pleasure, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens
Amygdala suppression – love
Love can reduce activity in the amygdala, dampening fear and anxiety, which supports trust and vulnerability.
Prefrontal cortex – love
In early romantic love, the PFC, responsible for rational thinking, may be less active, leading to impulsive decisions and idealized perceptions of a partner
Angular gyrus – love
Part of the brain associated with complex language functions and the mirror neuron system, this region helps you anticipate the actions of a loved one
Psychopathy
Differences to healthy controls in cingulate cortex, insula, frontal cortex and amygdala
