Emotion Flashcards
What are the components of emotional responses of FEAR?
cognitive/experiential/subjective responses are characterized as “feelings”, these are self-reported
behavioral responses are observed muscular responses like posture, gestures, and facial expressions – assessed with EMG
Physiological responses occur in the CNS (measured with EEG or brain imaging), ANS (sympathetic, parasympathetic organ activity), and hormonal (catecholamines and cortisol levels can be measured)
What happens in animals when they experience fear?
Amygdala integrates fear processing
The lateral nucleus takes input from cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus and projects to the basal nucleus, ventral striatum, and dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus, which then projects to the central nucleus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The central nucleus coordinates threat responses, therefore, the threat stimuli increases firing of the central nucleus and fos. If the central nucleus is damaged, behavioral and hormonal responses to threat and stress are decreased/impaired
What are conditioned emotional responses?
some fear stimuli elicit automatic emotional responses (loud noises, painful stimuli)
classical conditioning creates fear response to neutral stimuli, which is called a conditioned emotional response
conditioning a response occurs in the lateral nucleus
What is the fear response in humans?
amygdala stimulation evokes fear response in humans
ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity is associated with conditioned emotional response extinction
What are the findings in animal research that relate to AGGRESSION?
amygdala and hypothalamus affect aggressive behaviors via excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the periaqueductal gray (key structure in the propagation and modulation of pain and the learning and action of defensive and aversive behaviors)
Predation exists in ventral PAG, Rage exists in dorsal PAG
Serotonin activity decreases aggression, human research shows similar effects (decreased 5-HIAA, 5-HT associated with aggression, but relationship may be weak)
What is the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in impulse control?
Inside of the vmPFC, there is the medial orbitofrontal cortex and the subgenual anterior cingulate, which plays a key role in reward processing and emotional responses
Takes inputs through thalamus, temporal cortex, tegmenjtum, olfactory system, and amygdala
Outputs to the cingulate, hippocampus, temporal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala
vmPFC links instinctive emotional responses with complex behaviors
- Phinease Gage (rod through the prefrontal cortex) had reduced inhibitions and self-concern
damage to vmPFC impairs application of judgments to situations – decreased capacity to use social judgement, emotional deficits associated with poor social function
How does brain development influence impulse control?
vmPFC develops slower than the amygdala, therefore, inhibitions are lower in adolescence (risky behaviors)
How does Serotonin (5-HT) affect impulse control?
5-HT agonist increases PFC activity and allows for better decision-making
Prozac decreases aggression and increases PFC activity in impulsive aggressors (aggression coming from frustration, annoyance, or hostility to real or perceived provocations)
What causes moral decision-making?
EMOTIONS guide moral decisions
vmPFC active in moral dilemmas
- vmPFC relays emotional info to cortical decision-making areas and inhibits amygdala impulses which aids in controlling aggression
- 5-HT inhibits aggression via PFC activation
- 5-HT agonist decreased likelihood of harm-causing decisions in moral dilemmas
