Andy Hira Lecture for Political Psychology SFU Spring 2013

Transcription

1 Andy Hira Lecture for Political Psychology SFU Spring 2013

2 Original Research: based on examining brains of corpses, animals. Diseases, mental probs can sometimes be traced to phys. probs within the brain. Mapping- based on examining which areas are active while doing certain activities. Key challenges: Some areas have unclear functions. some activities have no central region, eg memory. Brain has some elements of plasticity, the ability to use other parts of the brain to make up for the loss of a particular area.

3 The brain is also divided into several lobes: The frontal lobes are responsible for problem solving, judgment, (conscious thinking), speech, emotion and motor function. The parietal lobes manage sensation (touch, pain), handwriting, and body position. The temporal lobes are involved with memory, hearing, smell, understanding speech & emotions. The occipital lobes contain the brain's visual processing system. The brain is surrounded by a layer of tissue called the meninges. The skull (cranium) helps protect the brain from injury. Right and Left hemispheres appear to control different skills

4 Diencephalon = thalamus + hypothalamus: all senses exc. smell come here en route to cerebral cortex; hypo also ctrls hormone funcs Amygdala = fight or flight instincts, fear Reticular formation cardiovascular & respiratory, sleep, consciousness & alertness Medula xition to spinal cord headinjury.com

5 Oxytocin (meth, sociability, trust) Dopamine- learning, pair bonding Anticipation, predictive capabiility Testosterone and war Pavolvian view Sadistic view 0 sum view (hierarchy) Religious/moral view (recognized sacrifice) Zen promise view firewalkers Thinking of pain and pleasure in a different way. Biological sources of pleasure/pain. Addict and old neighborhood.

6 Wrath (Ira) Why are these sins? Source: Wikipedia, 7 deadly Sins ; Bosch Greed (Avaricia) Envy (Invidia) Pride (Superbia)

7 Gluttony (Gula) Sloth (Accidia) Lust (Luxuria)

8 Trial by Ordeal- eg Inquisition- how can we make sense of this? Potential evolutionary sources of religion/higher power Importance of sin/guilt for group dynamics Heaven and Hell Are there common morals? 10 commandments: worshipping false idols; honouring father/mother; murder; adultery; theft; false witness against neighbor; coveting what neighbor has monogamy, or 1 male to several females imitation Thrift Respect for authority Charity Welcome visitors Belief in a higher power Reciprocity (The Golden Rule), forgiveness conformity Family as a unit Breaking Bad example

9 Relatively recent large n survey and controlled experiment studies of what makes people happy Most important factor = meaningful social relationships; marriage Interesting/rewarding work, ctrl over work conditions Money is impt., but only up to a point; winning lottery does not change, but social safety net does improve After abs. needs are met, relative position is significant (happiness in North doesn t inc. over time) Volunteering/altruism has benes Growing evidence that happiness is partly genetic What is your definition of happiness? Joseph Campbell, the Hero s Journey

10 We are made up of millions of independent cells working together for a common purpose. Individual neurons create senses; our brain has to make sense of the env. signals and consider responses. Different parts of the brain have different evolutionary functions: Amygdala- aka Reptilian brain- instinct, eg fight or flight; attraction Frontal lobe is our conscious mind We could not possibly think through every human reaction, some are clearly maintenance functions, some are instinct, some are routine responses. Thus, we clearly have genetic and sub-conscious responses that affect our behaviour and thoughts. Experience, recurring thoughts get imprinted on the brain, changing neurons. Example: addiction- brain physically changes as a result, incl. reducing pleasure response; cravings can be triggered by mere visual representation Morality may be based upon evolutionary adaptation to what creates pain/pleasure Social contact/acceptance, nurturing, etc. release oxytocin Family/group life, rituals, and norms (eg reciprocity) is almost universal across humans This suggests likely conflict b/t s-t vs. l-t sources of pain and pleasure, b/t individ and social I think therefore I am (not likely!)