What is the scientific explanation of love?
The release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain
How long does anger generally last in the body?
A few minutes
What is the neurotransmitter associated with experiencing fear?
adrenaline / epinephrine
What is the scientific explanation of happiness?
An emotion related to feelings of joy usually upon receiving a reward, occurs in the hypothalamus with the help of neurotransmitters.
What mental health issue is related to uncharacteristically low levels of this hormone for a prolonged period of time?
Dopamine
Where in the brain is anger triggered? (name the part)
Amygdala
What part of the brain is involved in experiencing fear?
amygdala (part of the lambic system)
What is a benefit of happiness?
lower stress hormones, help ease anxiety and depression, and improve our immune system
What is the role of norepinephrine in attraction?
Causes a release of energy + nervous excitement
What are the signs of anger that can be observed in the body (name as many as possible)?
the body’s muscles to tense up
high blood pressure
increased heart rate
increased breathing rate
your body to prepare for physical action
Explain the difference between a fear and a phobia
Fear: natural response to a perceived threat
Phobia: an irrational yet uncontrollable fear usually triggered by a specific event
Which region is responsible (mainly) for producing feelings of happiness?
Hypothalamus; reward system
What parts of the brain's functions can be impaired by love?
Amygdala- chemical release during attraction decreases feelings of fear, anger, and sadness
Frontal lobe- decreased ability to use logic and think critically
What is the scientific explanation for anger?
Release of neurotransmitter chemicals known as catecholamines inside the brain
Why do people watch scary movies/ seek thrill?
Fear involves the same biochemical reactions that positive emotions do, therefore stimulation of fear to attain an adrenaline rush can become desirable. This is the case when watching a scary movie or thriving on extreme sports. This is not applicable to everyone and so the reaction positive/ negative) depends on the individual.
Name 3 neurotransmitters needed to invoke happiness?
Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins
Name all 3 areas of the brain where feelings of attraction are produced
Ventral Tegmental Area, Nucleus Accumbens, Pituitary Glands + Hypothalamus
Why have humans evolved to feel anger?
Believed that anger is a result of millions of years of evolution
It is an in-built instinct to fight off threats or escape from dangerous situations as they motivate physical reactions/fitness
Why was fear important for survival?
Those who protected themselves properly from threats, survived in order for them to pass down their genes.
What is the evolutionary basis for happiness?
Happiness aided our survival in all sorts of important ways—it made us fitter, more attuned to our environment, more social, more energetic.