Brain, Behaviour and Biology

The explanation given for an emotion is often seen within two terms, biologically and in terms of behaviour i.e. feelings. The argument, as in all areas of psychology, is how much are emotions are biologically based and how much they are socially based i.e. from what we are taught. This paper will set to discuss both views and hopefully make a conclusion based on background research as to which of the two is most predominant.

Emotions are essentially patterns of physiological responses and species typical behaviours. The process of a feeling is mainly a biological one with hormones and reactions that cause a feeling. To have an emotional response three types of components must consist: behavioural, autonomic, and hormonal. One area that has brought with it much research is the role of the amygdale in emotional responses. The amygdala is situated at the temporal lobes and is made up of many nuclei each with different inputs, outputs and purposes. Inputs come from the olfactory system, the frontal cortex, and the limbic system. The outputs are the hypothalamus, the fontal cortex, the brain stem nuclei and also the hippocamel.

One piece of evidence is from Phineas Gage, who showed that frontal damage led to inhibitions becoming reduced as well as an inability to learn from ones’ consequences (behaviours). Gage received an injury to the frontal cortex when a steel rod went through his cheek and through the top of his brain. Before this he was said to be a serious, industrious man but afterward became irresponsible and childish. Another piece of evidence comes from Moniz who, based on research done on chimpanzees where the frontal lobe was removed causing child like qualities, applied the technique to humans. He took a transaction of fibres within the orbiofrontal cortex region and studied the results showing that it limited frustration behaviour.

Emotional responses are also suggested to be due to the orbiofrontal cortex, which is situated just above the orbits of the eye at the base of the frontal lobes. It is said that these areas of judgement etc., maybe dealt with at the orbiofrontal cortex. It receives information about what is occurring in the environment and planning. The outputs permit it to affect a variety of behaviours, including the emotional response organised by the amygdala. We know that the orbiofrontal cortex plays a role in the emotional response because damage to it causes emotional differentiations.

Some topics in this essay:
Psychology Brain, Phineas Gage, emotional response, Physiology Behaviour, orbiofrontal cortex, emotions biologically based, emotions biologically, biologically based, Reference CarlsonN, Bacon Ldn, emotional reactions, appropriate situation, suggested due, emotional responses, sensory feedback, frontal cortex,