...grows from 75 percent to 90 percent of adult weight, with increases particularly in the areas that allow advanced language and social understanding (Berger, 2011, p.212).” Parents should continue to watch their children closely during these developmental stages. They should listen to what their child is telling them and continue to assist them in their daily activities. The activities that a child does during this development are slower than a teenager because the information is processed slower. Expressions and the regulation of emotions are found in the limbic system of the brain. Emotions are registered in the amygdala part of the brain. These emotions can be positive or negative. Fear is especially found in this part of the brain. The amygdala is the size and has the shape of an almond. It can be found deep in the brain. A child’s imagination is found in the amygdala (Berger, 2011). This child may was afraid of the other child due to the playground scuffle that they had on the previous day. During this stage in a child’s life, they are paying close attention to their parent’s emotions. If at any time, a child feels as if their parents are afraid of something than that child would be afraid as well. Children should feel as if they are protected at all times. This 6 year old boy’s imagination could have taken over him when this shooting occurred. He could’ve imagined that he was playing his video games and he was trying to...
Words: 728 - Pages: 3
...The amygdala receives the information and quickly scans it to determine if it is a threat and starts action to protect you. In the PTSD injured brain, the amygdala, the brain’s sentinel, has a privileged position in the perception due to its unique ability to see everything coming into the brain (Goleman, 2007). The amygdala is the alarm portion of the brain and will detect features from current circumstances to determine if they are close enough to past emotionally significant events to warrant an emotional alarm. It knows nothing about reasoning or cognitive functions; it deals with feelings and emotions. The amygdala is a hair-trigger that makes rapid judgements about a situation and has a powerful effect on our emotions and behavior, linked with our survival needs. This survival mechanism, the fight or flight response, lets us react to our...
Words: 464 - Pages: 2
...The source of energy that keeps everything going is called ATP. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the biochemical way to store and use energy. Exercise: body creates more ATP, needs more oxygen increases breathing, heart start pumping more blood to your mussels What happen when you become fearful? Fear you expectation something threatening is going to happen After hearing or seeing something that scares you that data is relayed to the THALAMUS the thalamus then sends that message to your AMYGDALA through the long way. The amygdala is important for fear because it release key neural transmitter through your body. Neural transmitter are chemicals in the body that the nerve cells in the brain called neurons us to communicate with each other in the nervous system. The most important neural transmitter in the fear response in called...
Words: 1294 - Pages: 6
...Atlas, James. (2012). The Amygdala Made Me do It. New York Times.SR4. The article I chose to read is The Amygdala Made Me do It. The amygdala is a group of neurons located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. The amygdala have proven in research to play a primary role in things like decision making, memory, and emotional responses. This article describes different responses or habits and discusses why most of them are involuntary. I found this article very informative, though not incredibly interesting. The article was full the names of other articles or books that contain information about the part of the brain that controls reflex and logic. The fact listed in the article that I found most interesting, comes from research completed by Professor Daniel Kahneman. The research shows that the way human beings process information is broken into two distinct systems. System 1 consists of intuitive thinking or thinking quickly with no effort. System 2 is made up of logical thinking. This system is the one we use when decisions must be made. Another point that was made in the article that I found interesting was that involuntary acts such as biting one’s nails or even alcoholism are classified as autonomous. I never considered them to be reflexes as much as just habits. There is also speculation that habits or behaviors like this can be stopped completely by “training one’s brain” to not do them anymore. I feel that this is a great start to finding a cure for serious habits...
Words: 340 - Pages: 2
...The Mediating Affect of CRF Within the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala in Rats 1.Summarize the background of the article, and how does it relate to the general article. Alcohol consumption is characterized by excessive consumption which leads to feelings of increased anxiety and other negative emotional states.Consequently, these emotions lead to further consumption.Similar to human alcoholics, ethanol- dependent animals show signs of anxiety like behaviors and self administrate ethanol during periods of withdrawal. CRF, also known as corticotropin releasing factor helps mediate the increased anxiety during withdrawal.Additionally,regions of the amygdala are comprised of the CRF system, although unknown where the specific sites are responsible for the CRF component of excessive drinking. Also, numerous studies have shown that the amygdala is involved in “mediating the behavioral and physiological responses associated with anxiety.” This relates to the general article which focuses on the consumption of drug and alcohol, triggering feelings of anxiety which can be quieted by consuming more of it.Specifically, the amygdala is the part of the brain where the feelings of anxiety are triggered. Moreover, new research is showing alcohol's involvement in the transformation of the chemical architecture of the brain, allowing the brain's stress response to contribute to its dependency. CRF, also known as the corticotrophin releasing factor, is a chemical that is involved in the brain's...
Words: 847 - Pages: 4
...Running head: EMOTION: SEROTONIN, AND LIMBIC SYSTEM 1 Emotions: The roles of serotonin, and limbic system Melissa University EMOTION: SEROTONIN, AND LIMBIC SYSTEM 2 Abstract This report will review how emotions control our behavior; focusing on serotonin physiology, and the role of the Limbic System. I will report the role of serotonin and physiological changes in the body affecting the emotions of an individual, as well as other symptoms that will be dully noted in the report such as depression. The Limbic System controls the physiological changes which affect impulse control, anger and aggression, among other emotions and behaviors—I will summarize the relation between activity and several disorders. Studies have been done to understand serotonin and physiology in humans, and medications that can increase serotonin activity to offset negative affects (Hariri and Brown, 2006, p. 12). This report will summarize the details of how serotonin, and how the Limbic System affects human behaviors. EMOTION: SEROTONIN, AND LIMBIC SYSTEM 3 Emotions: The roles of serotonin, and limbic system Emotions are generally defined as a state of mind that may reflect joy or fear, although, emotions also consist of patterns of physiological responses that lead to specific behaviors, which is what this paper will reflect. Specifically, the...
Words: 2599 - Pages: 11
...Running Head: Facial Expression of Emotions FACIAL EXPRESSION OF EMOTIONS Pysc 380 – Physiological Psychology Abstract Emotions are shown in many different ways. One way in which are emotions are show in is our facial expressions. Facial expressions are responses that are innate, unlearned, automatic behavior. What causes these innate responses and what do they mean? There have been many articles and studies done on trying to understand all possible aspects of human and animal facial expressions. The emotional aspects of these facial expressions are vastly different. The goal of this paper is to better understand, both psychologically and physiologically, the nature of communication of emotions through facial expressions. Facial Expression of Emotions The warmth of a smile or a face contorted in anger, facial expressions tell the world our emotional state. Facial expressions relay information faster than words can be spoken. Ralph Adolphs wrote an article entitled “Perception and Emotion, How we recognize Facial Expressions.” In this article the author states on how some emotional responses through facial expressions are so fast that it is not possible for someone to be aware of the stimulus (Adolphs, 2006.) There have been many studies of how facial expressions can create activity almost immediately in a person’s brain. These studies are of importance because it helps the theory that cognitive judgment...
Words: 1781 - Pages: 8
...Assignment 1 Hypothalamus, hippocampus occipital, medulla, and amygdala, will be my superheros. The hypothalamus will be used to regulate sleep cycles and behavior (Nevid. J.S, 2015, p.56). This will allow a person to have a manageable sleep schedule while also making sure they are able to behave accordingly in stressful situations. Constantly working without appropriate rest can cause drainage in a person. The hypothalamus will alert a person when they need to rest, and have a sleep schedule that is normal for their body. The hippocampus will form new memories (Nevid. J.S, 2015, p.56). This will allow a person to remember important dates and events that are coming up soon It allows them to remember homework that is due. When they have a quiz coming up or if they do not have school the next day. The occipital lobe will process visual information (Nevid. J.S, 2015, p.57). This will help people become familiar with text information, faces, and objects. The occipital can help a person that is new to a school. It allows them to become with the way the halls may look, the buildings, without exactly knowing where they are. The medulla will control breathing, and heart rate (Nevid....
Words: 624 - Pages: 3
...Although the cortex that surrounds the amygdala is crucial for declarative memories. Moreover, the amygdala has been identified as the emotional control center (Squire, L. & Kandel, E., 2009, pg.107). Furthermore, the amygdala has been identified to participate in the human learning of fear. A study done at the University of Iowa presented participants with a neutral tone followed by a loud, obnoxious noise. After many successive neutral noises, followed by a loud bang, normal individuals experienced an emotional arousal, normally in the form of perspiration. Individuals with amygdala damage did not experience an emotional response to the loud noise. After training, most patients understood that a loud noise followed the neutral tone, while patients with amygdala damage still did not experience or react with fear and/or anxiety as normal patients did. Further studies of rats with amygdala lesions imply the indirect pathway of fear learning. This indirect pathway moves from the thalamus to the perirhinal cortex to the lateral nucleus, while the normal pathway moves through the subcortical areas (Squire, L. & Kandel, E., 2009, pg.185). Additionally, Wixted et. al found that there was no activation of the amygdala during the sparse and distributed coding of episodic memory. This study adds to the conclusion that the hippocampal damage has an effect on memory recognition, while damage to the amygdala does not. (Witxed et. al,...
Words: 1954 - Pages: 8
...In addition to, one would essentially expect some sort of brain abnormality when it comes to the possibility that psychopathy is genetically determined. A study at the University of Wisconsin Madison reveals through brain scans that psychopaths have diminished connections between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is responsible for processing empathy and guilt. Where as the amygdala contemplates fear and anxiety. When the link between the vmPFC and the amygdala is poor, the brain cannot process negative stimuli into deeply felt emotions such as guilt, remorse, and shame. This describes our vision of a psychopath a great deal. They feel physical pain however they do not feel sorrow when others...
Words: 485 - Pages: 2
...basic way we regulate emotion is by approaching what appeals to us and distancing from what frightens us. When boarding a plane, that basic system is lost. We need to rely on more sophisticated systems if we are to regulate our feelings. Start with the amygdala, a cluster of brain cells similar in size and shape to an almond. (Amygdala is the Greek word for almond.) The amygdala's job is to monitor what goes on around you. If everything is routine, it does nothing. If anything happens that is unexpected or non-routine, the amygdala calls it to your attention by triggering a release of stress hormones. The stress hormones activate the systems that regulate us emotionally and physically. The Mobilization System (MS) revs up the body in case it turns out you need to run or fight. The MS also produces an urge to escape. But a more sophisticated system, Executive Function (EF), overrides the urge to escape, and starts a three-step process: a. Assess the situation. Is this irrelevant, an opportunity, or a threat? b. Build a plan. If something needs to be done, what am I going to do? c. Commit to the plan. Take the action needed to carry the plan out. If EF assesses the unexpected situation as irrelevant, it signals the amygdala to stop the stress hormone release. If EF assesses the situation as an opportunity, the stress hormones cause feelings of excitement. But what EF assesses that there is danger? The stress hormones cause feelings of fear. If EF can come up with a plan that...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
...TRIGGERS IT... When the senses pick up a threat--a loud noise, a scary sight, a creepy feeling--the information takes two different routes through the brain A THE SHORTCUT When startled, the brain automatically engages an emergency hot line to its fear center, the amygdala. Once activated, the amygdala sends the equivalent of an all-points bulletin that alerts other brain structures. The result is the classic fear response: sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure and a burst of adrenaline. All this happens before the mind is conscious of having smelled or touched anything. Before you know why you're afraid, you are B THE HIGH ROAD Only after the fear response is activated does the conscious mind kick into gear. Some sensory information, rather than traveling directly to the amygdala, takes a more circuitous route, stopping first at the thalamus--the processing hub for sensory cues--and then the cortex--the outer layer of brain cells. The cortex analyzes the raw data streaming in through the senses and decides whether they require a fear response. If they do, the cortex signals the amygdala, and the body stays on alert ...AND HOW THE BODY RESPONDS By putting the brain on alert, the amygdala triggers a series of changes in brain chemicals and hormones that puts the entire body in anxiety mode STRESS-HORMONE BOOST Responding to signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the adrenal glands pump out high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Too...
Words: 399 - Pages: 2
...Sarah Parker Healthy or tasty: let your brain decide Marymount University Healthy or tasty: let your brain decide In a study recently published by NeuroImage, Dr. Grahenhorst and colleagues reported that humans are more likely to choose foods based on the healthiness of the food rather than taste. Obesity rates have continued to climb in the United States for many years. The Center of Disease Control has recently labeled obesity as a rising epidemic that needs to be stopped. This disease can negatively impact a person’s health in a variety of fashions including, but not limited to, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Another important factor to take into account is the rising health costs a person may incur due to being obese. Human beings food choices are different than those of their other primates because they do not choose their foods based solely on availability and survival. Humans have the luxury to choose what they eat by deciding what they are craving, availability, and information they receive through various language mechanisms. Marketers use food labels with key words to direct consumers to specific brands and types of foods (Grabenhorst, Schulte, Maderwald & Brand, 2013). The United States has recently enacted a strategy to counter the rising obesity rates by creating a law that requires companies to label food by the amount of calories it contains. By enacting this law, many psychologists believe that food labels will effect a consumer’s...
Words: 922 - Pages: 4
...On the other hand, the prefrontal cortex in rodents has two main area, called Infra-Limbic Cortex ( IL) and Pre-Limbic Cortex (PL), which plays a main role in fear acquire and response, as well as the formation of fear memory and conditional fear suppression. These two areas are also in a broad connection with the basolateral amygdala. Anatomically, PL is located in dorsal of IL, and past studies of rodents indicated the impact of this area on conditional fear. In the classic fear conditioning model, inactivate of the PL, cause reduction in the expression of fear and suppressed the freezing behavior. Moreover, advanced studies have shown that there is a very close alignment between rodent IL /PL and human’s vmPFC / dACC, which might be part of inter-species evolutionary connections. As regards, results confirmed the role of dACC in expressing conditional fear in humans as well as the role of PL in...
Words: 925 - Pages: 4
...Discuss neural mechanisms involved in the control of eating behavior. (8marks+16marks) The first idea of neural mechanisms controlling eating behavior is Homestasis. Homestasis is the tendency of an organism to maintain an internal equilibrium by adjusting physiological process e.g. hungry or thirst balance. The body has evolved two homeostatic mechanisms to regulate food intake, both dependent on glucose levels. When the levels of glucose drop will activates Lateral Hypothalamus(LH), which then leads to feeling of hunger. As a result to individuals consume food. Once the food is eaten the level of glucose will increase again this leads to the activation of Ventromedial Hypothalamus(VMH). This will then leads to satiety, which will make us stop eating. Another idea is Hypothalamus control our eating. There are 2 parts of hypothalamus in our brains control our eating behavior. When VMH is stimulating it will inhibit us from eating but when it is damaged it will cause us to over eat. Another part is LH when it is stimulated it will leads us to eat but when it is damaged it will prevent us to eat. In LH part there is neurotransmitter called Neuropeptide Y(NPY) this increases our appetites. OB Gene & Leptin is also leads us to decrease appetite. Gherlin hormone is also related to our eating as when we are stressed Gherlin hormone will increase to reduce our stresses but the hormone will also increase our appetite. Miller carried out the study by using a rat. The rat has...
Words: 687 - Pages: 3
