Limbic System Basics
What is the concept involving bidirectional interactions between different brain layers within this model?
Triune brain schema.
Which structure is known for enhancing the vividness but decreasing the accuracy of memory under stress?
Amygdala.
What is the modern interpretation of the James-Lange Theory regarding emotional intensity?
The modern form of the James-Lange Theory posits that peripheral somatic states do not cause emotions but contribute to their intensity.
Describe the pathway from the prefrontal cortex to executing movement.
The pathway includes the prefrontal cortex (PFC), frontal cortex, premotor cortex, and motor cortex.
In the “will” versus “grace” study discussed in class, it was found that for those test subjects who never lied for personal gain, resisting that temptation was not, in fact, the “harder thing.” What findings in that study support that conclusion?
Subjects who never lied didn’t show activation of the PFC when given the opportunity to lie, in contrast to those who lied some of the time.
Name the circuit that emphasizes how information is funneled towards the hypothalamus and frontal cortex.
Papez circuit.
Name the brain area associated with the literal response to disgusting sensations and metaphorically to disgusting morals.
Insula.
How do peripheral somatic signatures challenge the original James-Lange Theory?
Many different emotional states produce similar physical reactions, which means these reactions lack the specificity needed to cause distinct emotions.
Which brain areas become conditionally active depending on whose face is seen or whose pain is felt?
Fusiform gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex.
What are the cognitive functions attributed to the prefrontal cortex?
The prefrontal cortex is involved in complex cognitive behaviors including planning, decision making, and moderating social behavior.
Why is it challenging to determine the specific functions of limbic structures?
The complexity and diversity of functions make it difficult to pinpoint specific roles for each limbic structure.
What is the role of the thalamus in the shortcut to this particular structure?
The thalamus provides a faster, but less detailed, route to the amygdala, bypassing the cortex.
What common emotional regulation process involves the prefrontal cortex and amygdala?
The interaction between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala in processes such as emotional regulation and fear extinction.
How does the amygdala interact with the hippocampus during stressful situations?
The amygdala prioritizes emotional significance, enhancing memory vividness but possibly compromising accuracy during stressful events.
Correctly performing the Stroop test requires use of the:
Prefrontal cortex
Describe the role of dopamine in anticipation and motivation.
Dopamine is primarily about anticipation and goal-directed motivation, rather than just reward.
Professor Skipoleski brings in test subjects for an fMRI study. He finds that when he shows a scary photo to the subject during the scan, the subject's fusiform cortex activates and then triggers the ________ to activate. When he shows a photo of a crying face, the fusiform activates and then triggers the __________ to activate.
Amygdala, anterior cingulate
Discuss the connection between social complexity and prefrontal cortex expansion.
Social complexity requires advanced emotional regulation and impulse control, which are functions of the prefrontal cortex.
You are extremely upset because you found out that your best friend is having a party next Saturday, but you were not invited. Later, you discover that you were not purposefully excluded, but rather your friend has terrible cell-phone service and the invitation text never went through. Given what we know about the amygdala’s role in social contexts, we would hypothesize that upon finding out it was not purposeful exclusion, we’d expect the amygdala to:
Not activate, because unintentional social exclusion does not cause amygdala activation
How do moral disgust and physical disgust intertwine in brain responses?
The insula's response to physical disgust and moral disgust demonstrates how sensory and moral processing can overlap in the brain.
Explain why the James-Lange theory suggests that peripheral somatic states do not cause emotions.
Peripheral somatic states are too slow and too similar across different emotions to cause specific emotions.
Which structure is crucial in extinguishing fear and lessening the pain of social exclusion?
Prefrontal cortex and amygdala.
Explain the concept of "frontal load" and its importance.
Frontal load refers to the high energy and resource demand of the prefrontal cortex, emphasizing its importance in higher cognitive functions.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the thalamic shortcut to the amygdala.
Advantages: Speed of response to threats. Disadvantages: Reduced accuracy and potential for false alarms.
What are the effects of social exclusion on cortical activity?
Social exclusion activates brain regions associated with pain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, indicating a neural overlap between physical and social pain.