By Bjørn Grinde (auth.)
The briefs provides a version for happiness according to present wisdom in evolutionary biology and neurobiology. in short, the first function of frightened structures is to direct an animal towards behaviour appropriate for survival and procreation. In primitive animals activities are in line with reflexes, whereas in people the modules directing behaviour have interaction optimistic and damaging impact (good and undesirable feelings), and they're swayed through cognitive techniques. reasons why evolution opted for this technique used to be the enhanced flexibility in reaction – i.e., we examine from past reports. The human ability for happiness is an unintentional consequence.
An array of mind modules has developed to take care of a number of goals, yet fresh reports recommend that they converge on shared neural circuits designed to generate confident and unfavourable temper. Happiness could be construed because the internet output of the proper modules. The briefs indicates a method for the way to prevent having detrimental emotions (such as nervousness, melancholy and protracted ache) dominate the brain, and the way to workout confident emotions. in brief, the publication deals either a deeper realizing of what happiness is ready, and a framework for bettering well-being.
An array of mind modules has advanced to take care of numerous ambitions, yet contemporary experiences recommend that they converge on shared neural circuits designed to generate optimistic and detrimental temper. Happiness will be construed because the internet output of the suitable modules. The ebook indicates a method for the way to prevent having detrimental emotions (such as nervousness, melancholy and persistent ache) dominate the brain, and the way to workout confident emotions. briefly, the publication deals either a deeper knowing of what happiness is ready, and a framework for making improvements to well-being.
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Extra resources for The Biology of Happiness
Sample text
In fish (and many invertebrates) some of the tasks cared for by the brain can be moderated by learning. As evolution moved on to amphibians, reptiles and mammals, the organisms came to rely even more on this capacity. Although we still find pure reflexes in the human repertoire of behaviour, for example how the pupils accommodate to changes in light intensity, in the case of more complicated situations we usually bring the task to conscious awareness and allow our advanced, computational brain to decide on the most favourable action.
Some of the main 46 3 The Human Brain neurotransmitters involved in the mood modules—dopamine, serotonin and opioids—are used in even the most primitive neural systems such as that of the nematodes. Interestingly, they apparently serve the homologue functions of attraction and avoidance in these animals (Chase and Koelle 2007; NietoFernandez et al. 2009). This observation further strengthens the idea that the human mood modules represent an evolutionary expansion of processes that have always been at the core of nervous systems.
Cognition could end up serving some particular concern of the individual rather than the interest of the genes contained within. A more parsimonious scenario is that evolution expanded on early reflexive or instinctive behaviour associated with attraction and aversion by adding mood value, and gradually increased the cognitive capacity for the purpose of a more fine-tuned assessment of select types of behaviour. In short, the four-level hierarchy of operating procedures detailed below seems to reflect the evolutionary strategy.