Emotions

Theories: James-Lange & Schachter-Singer, How are they different? 

James-Lange theory: 

  • Bottom-up 

  • Autonomic specificity = different pattern of physiological arousal for distinct emotional states. E.g. if you encounter a bear, there is a specific pattern of response that happens results in experience of fear vs different pattern for riding a roller coaster  

  • External stimulus ----- perception ----– autonomic response ---- experiencing emotional reaction  

  • Feeling component of emotion (3) comes from perceived pattern of bodily sensation (2) after experience of stimulus (1) 

Schachter-Singer: 

  • Two factor theory = happens in two aspects  

  • Emotion that you feel is based on the context of the stimulus 

  • What is the context in that type of stimulus, what is going around it?  

  • Perception of stimulus --- physiological response ---- emotional interpretation of physiological reaction  

  • Cognitive appraisal of stimulus in context (3) determines category of emotions perceived by organism (1); not the physiological response (2) 

How is the idea of universal emotions supported? 

Universal Emotions 

  • Tested people with what emotion everyone was feeling  

  • Different cultures and places and the facial expressions were similar  

Happiness, Surprise, sadness fright, disgust, contempt, anger 

What role do each of the following brain structures play in the Papez Circuit: Hypothalamus, Amygdala, Orbitofrontal Cortex:

Hypothalamus:  

  • Receives interoceptive input from throughout the body, via the relays of the thalamus, which is then used to direct a number behavioral and physiological responses 

Amygdala:

  • Involved in emotional learning  

  • Fear  

Orbitofrontal Cortex: To determine emotional response. 

  • Assigning conceptual meaning to sensory info about the stimulus: Hypothalamus amygdala, hippocampus. 

  • Sending info about stimulus and using memories we have about similar stimulus or situation and is also if/then. If I make this decision, what will happen? Decision and consequences 

What are mirror neurons? How are they likely related to autism? 

  • The same group of cells are active when you do the action or when you see another person do the same action.  

  • Our ability to observe an emotion in someone else and understand what they are experiencing.  

  • The more empathy the more activation of the mirror neurons has. 

What role do the PFC, hippocampus, and amygdala play in depression? 

PFC: Atrophy = lower volume , Altered metabolic rates = how efficiently the PFC is using oxygen, sugar or any drugs that have been used, typically increased 

Hippocampus: Atrophy 

Amygdala: Increase in volume  

What is the serotonin depletion hypothesis of depression? 

Serotonin depletion hypothesis = people who have depression have lower levels of serotonin available for use  

  • More about sensitivity to serotonin 

What role does plasticity play in depression? 

BDNF 

  • Neurotropic  

  • Less about neurotransmitters and more about plasticity 

 

How do MAOIs work, what are there side effects, what are they particularly useful for? 

  • Block enzyme that metabolizes monoamine neurotransmitters = those neurotransmitters are not getting broken down as much  

  • Potential fatal interactions 

  • Adrenalin-like drugs 

  • Foods that contain tyramine = monitor intake very closely otherwise it can get dangerous  

  • Effective in those who are treatment resistant 

 

What is serotonin syndrome? What are the symptoms? 

Serotonin Syndrome: medication that build up high levels of serotonin in the body 

Symptoms: 

  • Altered cognition 

  • Agitation 

  • Fever, chills, nausea, etc 

  • Ataxia 

  • Usually resolves in 24-48 hours after discontinuation 

What is SAD? What is the cause? 

Seasonal Affective Disorder: 

Changes in body's natural rhythm's, serotonin and melatonin due to reduced exposure to natural sunlight.