The discovery of two distinct brain pathways for emotional arousal has clarified the connections among the many biological structures involved in emotion and has offered solutions to many of the long- standing issues in the psychology of emotion Where Do Our Emotions Come From?

Emotional Arousal and the Brain

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon Fast Response System Operates mainly on the unconscious levelOperates mainly on the unconscious level Helps us respond quickly to cues of possible important eventsHelps us respond quickly to cues of possible important events Example:Example: Frightened by a shadow in a dark alley Frightened by a shadow in a dark alley

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Fast Response System Possible innate aspects Possible innate aspects Linked to implicit memory systemLinked to implicit memory system (not deliberately learned..can’t recall when it was learned) (not deliberately learned..can’t recall when it was learned) Explains why we fear snakes more than electricityExplains why we fear snakes more than electricity

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon Slow Response System …the Conscious Processing System…the Conscious Processing System Generates emotions more slowly….But delivers more complete informationGenerates emotions more slowly….But delivers more complete information Attaches emotional reactions to experiences that you find interesting, attractive, repulsiveAttaches emotional reactions to experiences that you find interesting, attractive, repulsive

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Slow Response System Phobic person feels fear, even though they know it has no basisPhobic person feels fear, even though they know it has no basis Linked to explicit memory system (memory that is processed with attention and can be easily recalled) Linked to explicit memory system (memory that is processed with attention and can be easily recalled)

The Neuroscience of Emotion The biological mechanisms at work behind our emotions include: a. The limbic system: prepares for attack, defense, or retreat fight or flight Amygdala continuously looking for threats b. The reticular formation: the brain's alarm system c. The cerebral cortex: outermost layer of the brain

Lateralization of Emotion The two cerebral hemispheres specialize in different emotions Right Hemisphere Negative emotions…..anger, depression, hate, disgust Left Hemisphere Positive emotions….joy, happiness, delight, mirth

The Neuroscience of Emotion d. The autonomic nervous system: Parasympathetic Division: Usually dominates pleasant emotions Sympathetic Division: Becomes active when startled or by an unpleasant emotion e. Hormones: Serotonin ….feelings of depression Epinephrine (adrenalin)…produced by fear Norepinephrine …more abundant in anger Steroids

Arousal and Emotion