Posts Tagged ‘fear’
Do Animals Feel Empathy? Neuroscience illuminates
Empathy is the remarkable ability to perceive the thoughts, intentions, and emotions of other individuals. In human relations, empathy binds us together in interpersonal and social relations. It organizes our social behaviors, is the foundation of our commitment to justice, sparks selfless acts of alturism and heroism, and can be lifesaving by alerting us to…
Read MoreFatal Attraction: A Common Infection Linked to Sexual Deviance
According to a study by Janus and Janus,14 percent of male and 11 percent of females in the United States have had personal experience with sadomasochistic sexual practices. Although human behavior is complex, an intriguing link has been identified between sex and violence and a common parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which is acquired from cats. It is well-established that parasitic infections…
Read MoreNo Fear
In an interesting article in the magazine Nautilus, J.B. MacKinnon, reports that a brain scan (fMRI) of free solo climber, Alex Honnold’s brain explains why he is so willing to risk his life to climb rocks without a rope. The fear circuitry in his brain is dysfunctional. Alex Honnold climbing without a rope You may…
Read MoreThe Neuroscience of Violence, Again
The first dead person I ever saw was a policeman. . .
Read MoreTo Flee or Freeze? Neural Circuits of Threat Detection Identified
Suddenly something streaks into your peripheral vision. Instantly, you jump back and raise your arms defensively. “What was that!” You exclaim in shock. Only then do you realize that the blurred streak you just dodged was a wayward basketball zinging like a missile on a collision course for your face. A rush of adrenaline flushes…
Read MoreThe Kathmandu earthquake will alter brain structure of survivors
Studies of people who have survived earthquakes and other traumatic events can provide important insights into the effect of stress on human brain structure.
Read MoreTransforming Terrorizing Memories
I’ll never forget it. They strapped electrodes to my wrist, cranked up a black dial on a frightening electronic device encrusted with switches and knobs, and shocked me repeatedly with jolts of electricity.
Read MoreRecognizing the Face of a Murder
The test subjects were able to suss out the murders on appearance alone, even though the photos were tightly cropped to reveal nothing but the parts of the human face that communicates emotion and internal states–eyes, nose, and mouth.
Read MoreMirror Image People—Why it Matters Which Side of Your Brain Does What
Most people salute the flag by respectfully placing their right hand over their heart, but not everyone does this. That’s because some people (1 in 10,000) are born with their heart on the wrong side. Not only their heart, but all their internal organs are swapped left for right: liver, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen,…
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