Posted by llrrrpp on May 18, 2006, at 15:45:09
In reply to Re: three factors of emotion pulled apart, posted by madeline on May 18, 2006, at 15:32:53
> "now if the theory is that certain kinds of bodily changes are necessary and sufficient for emotion then it would seem to be the case that people paralysed from the neck down cannot have emotions. does this seem plausible?"
>
> The primary nerves that control the "fight or flight" response and the "seat of sadness" come straight out of the brain. Paralyzed people can mount a physical response to an emotion, because those nerves have not been severed.
>the cranial nerves would be sufficient to control physiological mechanisms and provide sensory feedback associated with emoting. For example,
Vagus Nerve (X) emerges out of the brain stem, and is not affected when the spine is injured. "efferents to branchial arch muscles mediate swallowing (gulp) and phonation (talking). Efferents to parasympathetic ganglia for thoracic and abdominal viscera arise from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and nucleus ambiguus (i have a big n. ambiguus) in the medulla; afferent fibers mediate general visceral sensation (butterflies in the stomach, anyone?) taste from the epiglottis, and cutaneous sensation behind the ear (a kiss from a special person). "
Lest you think I'm one of the supergeex, I copy verbatim (except you know where) from Nolte & Angevine. The Human Brain in Photographs and Diagrams. 2nd ed. (2000)
Indeed, Maddie, you raise an interesting point. When I take beta-blockers before a nerve-wracking concert, I don't, in fact experience emotions in the same way. they don't feel. I'm probably going to be taking one in about 4 hours. (see my post ..."Need Help" below. this was a good distraction. now I return to the pit.
poster:llrrrpp
thread:645293
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060513/msgs/645552.html