Lecture 5:
Fear and Loathing in the Human Brain:
How are emotions organised in the brain?
Social Functional View argues that emotions function at multiple levels,
sometimes at the same time: cultural, group, dyadic, and individual.
The brain is the basic level upon which other levels depend on.
Neuroscience Techniques:
Basic Emotions:
Emotions are universal (we all have the same set of emotions as humans),
discrete (emotions last for a discrete short period of time, and then disappear),
and distinct (fear is different from anger, anger different from disgust, etc.).
Emotions have evolved to deal with distinct fundamental life tasks. They have
different specific functions. For example, the evolved function of disgust is to
avoid disease.
Limited set (basic)- they serve to indicate that certain things are going on by the
person. Happiness, sadness, fear, surprise, anger, disgust and contempt. They
have unique facial expressions- Ekman argues that this is what makes them
‘basic’.
Ekman (1992); Levenson (2011): Basic Emotions-
o This theory makes certain predictions
o It is necessary to posit emotion-specific brain activity for basic emotions.
o The distinctive features of each emotion could not occur without the CNS
organisation & direction.
o There must be unique physiological signature for each emotion.
Fear and Loathing in the Human Brain:
How are emotions organised in the brain?
Social Functional View argues that emotions function at multiple levels,
sometimes at the same time: cultural, group, dyadic, and individual.
The brain is the basic level upon which other levels depend on.
Neuroscience Techniques:
Basic Emotions:
Emotions are universal (we all have the same set of emotions as humans),
discrete (emotions last for a discrete short period of time, and then disappear),
and distinct (fear is different from anger, anger different from disgust, etc.).
Emotions have evolved to deal with distinct fundamental life tasks. They have
different specific functions. For example, the evolved function of disgust is to
avoid disease.
Limited set (basic)- they serve to indicate that certain things are going on by the
person. Happiness, sadness, fear, surprise, anger, disgust and contempt. They
have unique facial expressions- Ekman argues that this is what makes them
‘basic’.
Ekman (1992); Levenson (2011): Basic Emotions-
o This theory makes certain predictions
o It is necessary to posit emotion-specific brain activity for basic emotions.
o The distinctive features of each emotion could not occur without the CNS
organisation & direction.
o There must be unique physiological signature for each emotion.
