Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)’s Post

One topic of inquiry in the science of embodied cognition, emotion, and behavior is whether these three elements arise simultaneously or sequentially in the physiology of the brain and the body; and if they are sequential, in what order do they arise? There are several seemingly irreconcilable points of view on this topic, each supported by evidence. Let us examine this controversy before we attempt our own reconciliation. Even though it is hard to argue that some form of evaluation, conscious or unconscious, has to precede emotion, findings reveal that cognition—including initial attention to the environment even before perception occurs—is strongly influenced by emotion. This evidence supports the view that emotion is the starting point, followed by cognition and behavior. Then, there is the equally evidence-based point of view that behavior precedes emotion as well as cognition. The conventional wisdom, of course, holds to the classical sequence of cognition first, emotion second, and behavior third. More in my book The Practice of Embodying Emotions https://lnkd.in/etp5WuiA #Emotions #Research #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

One topic of inquiry in the science of embodied cognition, emotion, and behavior is whether these three elements arise simultaneously or sequentially in the physiology of the brain and the body; and if they are sequential, in what order do they arise? There are several seemingly irreconcilable points of view on this topic, each supported by evidence. Let us examine this controversy before we attempt our own reconciliation. Even though it is hard to argue that some form of evaluation, conscious or unconscious, has to precede emotion, findings reveal that cognition—including initial attention to the environment even before perception occurs—is strongly influenced by emotion. This evidence supports the view that emotion is the starting point, followed by cognition and behavior. Then, there is the equally evidence-based point of view that behavior precedes emotion as well as cognition. The conventional wisdom, of course, holds to the classical sequence of cognition first, emotion second, and behavior third. More in my book The Practice of Embodying Emotions https://lnkd.in/gctQHchM #Emotions #Research #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

The James-Lange and Cannon-Bard theories are extremely important because almost all the subsequent orientations of emotion research were inspired by one or both of them. The Cannon-Bard theory shifted the focus of emotion research from the body to the brain for a very long time, until research on the brain itself started to point back to the importance of the body toward the end of the twentieth century. This turnaround has led to a renewed interest in the James-Lange theory, and the updating of it with new evidence from brain research. As for the Cannon-Bard theory, its influence on research on the role of the brain in emotion is also substantial. The subsequent discoveries relating to the role of subcortical brain structures in the generation and expression of emotion, as well as the role of cortical brain structures in regulating cognition and emotion and making them conscious, all have roots in the Cannon-Bard theory. You can learn about the science in my book: The Practice of Embodying Emotions: A Guide for Improving Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes. https://lnkd.in/etp5WuiA #Emotions #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

There is precedent in the literature on emotions for such a possibility. The evolutionary perspective of Charles Darwin, based on cross cultural evidence for universal emotions, has been supported by studies from a long line of researchers, including Paul Ekman. If evolution can program emotional displays in the body as innate tendencies, and emotional displays in the body can generate different emotional experiences with distinct neural patterns in the brain, would it not be the next logical step in evolution to program in the brain a capacity to generate such emotional experiences independent of the body, to at least some extent? To enhance the brain’s capacity to predict is to improve its chances of survival. The history of research on emotions offers more evidence for this ability on the part of the brain. The innate ability of the brain to generate emotions through its hardware, independent of body experience, is a fundamental feature in the theories of Walter Cannon, Philip Bard, James Papez, Paul McLean, Jaap Panksepp, and Joseph E. LeDoux, all important researchers who have studied the role of the brain in emotion. More in my book The Practice of Embodying Emotions https://lnkd.in/etp5WuiA #Emotions #Research #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

A Unified Theory of Consciousness Could Be on the Cusp https://lnkd.in/eg9ctXAY

There is precedent in the literature on emotions for such a possibility. The evolutionary perspective of Charles Darwin, based on cross cultural evidence for universal emotions, has been supported by studies from a long line of researchers, including Paul Ekman. If evolution can program emotional displays in the body as innate tendencies, and emotional displays in the body can generate different emotional experiences with distinct neural patterns in the brain, would it not be the next logical step in evolution to program in the brain a capacity to generate such emotional experiences independent of the body, to at least some extent? To enhance the brain’s capacity to predict is to improve its chances of survival. The history of research on emotions offers more evidence for this ability on the part of the brain. The innate ability of the brain to generate emotions through its hardware, independent of body experience, is a fundamental feature in the theories of Walter Cannon, Philip Bard, James Papez, Paul McLean, Jaap Panksepp, and Joseph E. LeDoux, all important researchers who have studied the role of the brain in emotion. More in my book The Practice of Embodying Emotions https://lnkd.in/gctQHchM #Emotions #Research #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

The James-Lange and Cannon-Bard theories are extremely important because almost all the subsequent orientations of emotion research were inspired by one or both of them. The Cannon-Bard theory shifted the focus of emotion research from the body to the brain for a very long time, until research on the brain itself started to point back to the importance of the body toward the end of the twentieth century. This turnaround has led to a renewed interest in the James-Lange theory, and the updating of it with new evidence from brain research. As for the Cannon-Bard theory, its influence on research on the role of the brain in emotion is also substantial. The subsequent discoveries relating to the role of subcortical brain structures in the generation and expression of emotion, as well as the role of cortical brain structures in regulating cognition and emotion and making them conscious, all have roots in the Cannon-Bard theory. You can learn about the science in my book: The Practice of Embodying Emotions: A Guide for Improving Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes. https://lnkd.in/gctQHchM #Emotions #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

Dive into an innovative exploration of the fascinating crossroads between quantum mechanics and human psychology! This paper reveals how quantum principles like superposition might mirror the complexity of human traits, suggesting that our personalities hold a spectrum of potentials waiting to be consciously cultivated. Imagine harnessing the power of deliberate effort to fostering positive traits, leading to profound personal growth and fulfillment. Conversely, neglecting these traits could lead to negative outcomes, highlighting the vital role of self-awareness and intentional action. https://lnkd.in/egmH7-b7

No theory, including the James-Lange theory, denies a role for the brain in emotional experience. The issue all along has been the extent to which the body plays a role in this experience. The neuroscientific evidence that has emerged since the second half of the twentieth century shows that body experience is involved in the generation and experience of emotion in the brain and that the brain can generate emotional experiences without current input from the body by recalling past emotional experiences generated by past body experiences (to quickly predict possible emotional reactions to current situations). This evidence poses the question of whether it is possible to generate and have experiences of emotion in the brain that do not involve the present or past experience of the body in any way. We will answer this question later. For now, let us turn our focus to how modern brain research has made the body once again a key player in the generation and experience of emotion. You can learn about the science in my book: The Practice of Embodying Emotions: A Guide for Improving Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes. https://lnkd.in/gctQHchM #Emotions #BodyPsychotherapy #SomaticPsychology #DrRajaSelvam

𝐂𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐔 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝, 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲, 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 #Complexity is all about interconnection, interdependence, and emergent effects, constantly made in action. This is especially important when it comes to ourselves as physical beings. It is time to remember again that the “human” in anthro-complexity is not a disembodied mind, it is not a mechanical body, and it is not an island, entire of itself. Complex humans are mind-body-world beings, all rolled into one. So join us for this retreat as we explore those connections through faculty in medicine, neuroscience, and literature: ✨How are our minds of our bodies? ✨What does our cognition mean for our view of the world? ✨What are the enabling constraints of the physical and mental worlds we inhabit? 𝐀 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐰: https://lnkd.in/eFEtVRrj #designthinking #systemthinking #leadershipdevelopment