Brain, Nervous System & Emotions Kimberly Nelson MTHS 2013

Triune Brain Theory  Reptilian brain  Limbic (early mammalian) brain  Neocortex (neo-mammalian) brain

Reptilian Brain

 Also called the brain stem  Develops between conception and first 15 months after birth  Job: self preservation  Monitors outer world through sensory input  Then…activates body for survival  100 trillion nerve nets that link all senses

Reptilian brain, cont.  Includes: brain stem, medulla oblongata, pons & cerebellum  Sensations are sent: Through the brain stem… To the switch board or pons… To the thalamus in the limbic brain… To the neocortex for interpretation

Limbic Brain  Links to neocortex allowing for emotional or cognitive (thinking) processing  Works with the body to show physical signs of emotions, like flush of embarrassment or smile of joy  Determines the release of neuro- transmitters that strengthen or weaken immune system

Limbic brain, cont.  4 major structures of limbic brain Thalamus:  relay station for incoming sensory information, except smell  Relays info from brain to muscles  Interprets pain, temp, pressure  Connections between emotions & memory Hypothalamus  Pituitary gland  Manages: hunger, thirst, temp, sleeping state  Mind-over-body phenomena  Aggression & pleasure

Limbic brain, cont. Amygdala  Links to brain areas involved with cognitive and sensory processing  Regulates your body state=to emotional state  Recognizes facial expression & body language  Body reactions to fear or anxiety Hippocampus  Short term memory  Transfers info into long term memory

Neocortex  Cerebral Cortex  Outer gray layer of brain, 80% of brain  Controls motor movement  Communication: language, process visual information, speech  Problem solving & processing ideas

Cerebral Cortex

Primary Functioning

Nerve Cell

Brain Processing Model ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT HEARING LONG TERM STORAGE WORKING MEMORY SMELL SIGHT TOUCH TASTE OUT PERCEPTUAL REGISTER OUT Mat.talen/027 Vrij naar David A. Sousa ‘How the brain learns.’ SHORT TERM MEMORY

What does this all mean?  What are some connections you can make about this information and what you already know about emotions?

From observation to response During our day, we experience events that cause emotional responses. What steps does our body/brain take to process and act towards a response?

Observation to response What influences could effect our response?

Consider:  Observation skills and abilities  History: past events, info, prejudge  State of brain: nutrition, sleep, water  Mental state: stress, sickness  Brain’s ability to communication (synapse development)  Age, developmental state  Brain’s communication style & experiences  Fight or flight, phobias, abuse  Mental health

There’s a spider in my bed!!!  Identify: How does the information get into your brain? What does your limbic system do? To react to the spider, what will the following parts do:  Thalamus  (sees the spider)  Hypothalamus  (connects an emotion to seeing it)  Amygdala  (body reacts to fear)  hippocampus  (takes from short term memory to long term memory)

Feelings & Needs  All humans have needs  Areas of needs Self-expression: create, play Autonomy: goals, dreams, choices Interdependence: acceptance, respect Spiritual: joy, meaning Physical: basic needs, protection, sexual Where have you seen this before?

Practice getting what you need  Situation What did you see? What did you feel? What do you need? How would you do or request?

Connection  What is the connection between emotions and getting your needs met?