Neuroscience 16b – Emotion
Anil Chopra
1.
2.
3.
4.
Define what an emotion is and how it is constructed
Distinguish an emotion from a feeling and describe how a feeling is constructed
Describe how emotions can alter brain function
Describe the difference between emotional intelligence, emotional literacy,
emotional management and emotional well being
5. Describe why emotional skills are critically important to medical practice
6. Describe the repertoire of emotions available and a structure for organising the
different types of emotions
7. Describe the relationship between emotions and consciousness
The terms emotion and feeling are often confused. Emotion is defined as “energy in
motion”. It is the sum of all physiological signals from all physiological systems in
the body which are constantly moving or changing and take a number of different
forms:
Types of Physiological Signals
Bodily Systems
Electrical Signals
Heart
Electromagnetic Signals
Lungs
Chemical Signals
Joints
Pressure Waves
Guts
Sound Waves
Liver
Heat Waves
Kidneys
Emotions can be measured physiologically using signals such as hormone levels,
blood pressure, body temperature, sweat e.t.c.
Feeling on the other hand is the awareness of the emotion. The construction of the
feeling requires physiological input from the body to the limbic system, which the
processes and integrates the structure and combination of different signals. Alterations
of the afferent inputs into the limbic system can alter the feeling that is perceived.
Each feeling has a different energetic or emotional
structure. This unique physiological signature of an
emotion inputs the limbic network. This afferent
information is processed and integrated within the limbic
network where meaning is attributed to the data.
Emotions altering Brain Function
All of our thinking occurs in the context of our emotions. This is why our thoughts
can be distorted by our emotions. People in pain think differently when that pain is
relieved. For example, the electrical signal generated by the heart and its constant
variation can impair thought. As the heart rate variability (HRV) pattern becomes
more chaotic there is an inhibition of the frontal cortex. This forms the basis of brain
dysfunction under pressure, like going blank in an exam.
In fact if the limbic network perceives any kind of threat (the amygdale is critically
involved in this process) then the HRV signal becomes chaotic very quickly.
Different people are able deal with emotions in different ways:
1. Emotional Intelligence
Awareness of your own emotions (feeling!) in day to day life plus other skills
(impulse control, self-motivation, empathy & relationship skills)
2. Emotional Literacy
The ability to label what you are feeling correctly
3. Emotional Management
The ability to change the way you feel deliberately
4. Emotional Well Being
The ability to generate & sustain a positive balanced emotional state.
A measure of emotional intelligence is heart rate variability HRV. It is very
important because it can predict illness and ill health. The signal generated by the
heart and its constant variation can impair thought – heart rate becomes more variable
when there is inhibition of the prefrontal cortex forming the basis of the brain
dysfunction when under pressure. E.g
Chaos:
Coherance:
The main activation area in positive emotions is the left superior prefrontal cortex.