To what extent are emotions biologically based?.
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. .
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The central nucleus of the amygdala integrates emotional reactions, organising responses in reference to the relevant situation. The amygdala is very important within the area of emotional learning and if the area were to be damaged many emotions could be lost. Fear, loud, or sudden noises produce types of an almost innate automatic response when in a particular situation which is controlled for within the amygdala. The feedback from these situations then means that we are able to learn the appropriate emotional response for the appropriate situation, usually being a dangerous or threatening situation. Once this is learnt heart rate and blood pressure heighten to make us alert and more cautious.
