How Our Brains Feel Emotion | Antonio Damasio | Big Think

Summary

Antonio Damasio explains the difference between emotions and feelings, stating that emotions are complex actions, including physical changes, designed to enhance survival. These actions, set in our genome, are universal but vary slightly by individual experience. Feelings, however, occur when the brain perceives and represents these emotional changes happening in the body. Damasio highlights the role of the brain stem and the insular cortex in this process, noting that while the insular is not the most crucial structure, it is significant in generating feelings, confirmed by research over the past 20 years.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Emotions are complex programs of actions that include both physical movements and internal changes.
• 🌟 Emotions serve the purpose of enhancing survival by addressing dangers or opportunities.
• 🧬 Emotions are genetically programmed but can be modified by individual experiences.
• 🤔 Feelings are distinct from emotions; they are the brain's perception of the body's response to an emotion.
• 🐶 Emotions are similar across individuals and even species, indicating a shared biological basis.
• 🔍 The insular cortex is a key brain structure involved in the perception of feelings, as suggested by Antonio Damasio.
• 🧬 The insular cortex was initially hypothesized to be important for feelings and subsequent studies confirmed this.
• 🧐 Feelings are perceived through a network of brain structures, not just the insular cortex.
• 🔎 Damasio's research has contributed significantly to our understanding of emotions and feelings.
• 🧠 The process of feeling an emotion involves representing the bodily changes in brain structures different from those initiating the emotion.

Q & A

What is the difference between an emotion and a feeling according to Antonio Damasio?

An emotion is a complex program of actions, including physical movements and internal responses like changes in heart rate or hormone releases, designed to handle threats or opportunities for survival. A feeling, on the other hand, is the perception of these bodily changes as they occur during an emotional response.

How do emotions contribute to survivability?

Emotions are designed to make life more survivable by addressing dangers or opportunities, and they are set in our genome with a programmed nature that can be modified by individual experiences.

Are emotions the same across different individuals and species?

The essence of emotions like joy is extremely similar across individuals and even species, although the physical expressions may vary slightly.

What role do the insular cortex and other brain structures play in feelings?

The insular cortex is active during emotional feelings, but it is not the only structure involved. It works in conjunction with other brain structures, including those in the brain stem, to perceive the bodily changes associated with emotions.

How does the brain represent the bodily changes during an emotion?

The brain represents these changes through a process that involves different structures from those that initiate the emotional response, allowing for the perception of what is happening in the body during an emotional state.

Why does Antonio Damasio emphasize the importance of the insular cortex in the context of feelings?

Damasio emphasizes the insular cortex because it was not well-known for its role in feelings, and his hypothesis that it would be an important platform for feelings has been confirmed by subsequent experiments and studies.

What is the significance of the body's internal movements in the context of emotions?

Internal movements, such as changes in heart rate or hormone releases, are part of the complex program of actions that constitute an emotion, contributing to the organism's response to environmental stimuli.

How do emotions and feelings relate to our survival and adaptation?

Emotions and feelings are related to survival and adaptation as they are mechanisms that help us respond to environmental threats and opportunities, with feelings providing the subjective experience of these responses.

Can you explain the role of the endocrine system in emotions as described by Antonio Damasio?

The endocrine system plays a role in emotions by releasing molecules into the bloodstream, which are part of the body's orchestrated response to stimuli, contributing to the overall emotional experience.

What does it mean for an emotion to be 'programmed' in our genome?

An emotion being 'programmed' in our genome means that there are innate, genetically determined patterns for emotional responses that are common to all individuals, although they can be influenced by personal experiences.

How do variations in emotional expression occur among individuals?

Variations in emotional expression occur due to individual differences in how the programmed emotional responses are modified by personal experiences, leading to unique physical manifestations of similar emotional states.