The Evolutionary Aspects Of Fear Psychology Essay

The Evolutionary Aspects Of Fear Psychology Essay This paper presents an exclusive discussion of what is known about the biological basis of fear. In presenting this discussion, the paper shall explore the main concepts relating to the biology behind fear in humans with the main ideas being the definition of fear, the evolutionary aspects of fear, as well as the emotional response of the brain in the event of fear or anxiety. The paper shall also present an analysis that seeks to establish fear and anxiety as identical rather than two contrasting concepts as believed by many. In the discussion on the biological basis of fear, the study shall include biological evidence relating to the specific parts of the human brain that respond and react to fear. Introduction It is interesting how humans respond to fear, especially the bodily changes that take place in the event of an activity or something that triggers fear. Humans respond to fear in different ways, and their bodies react to unexpected situations of fear almost instantly. In response to fear, human bodies exhibit increased arousal, autonomic and neuroendocrinal activation and immediate expectancy among other spontaneous reactions. It is even surprising that fear triggers some emotional reaction in humans based on recent studies by psychologists. An interesting revelation according to empirical studies on emotions under the field of biology point to the fact that emotions are not just feelings as evolutionary studies would want us to believe. Emotions in human beings are accompanied by physiological and behavioural variations (Davidson, 2000). A widely accepted perception of emotions today touches on the fundamental ideology that humans experience emotions in three different but interrela ted levels: the behavioural level, the neurophysiological level and the psychological or metal level. Based on inference that emotions have a close relation to fear in terms of the mental or psychological state, it is possible to use such information to build upon the biological basis of fear (Walker, 2002). The consequence of predisposing factors that trigger emotions also tend to instil fear in human beings and this paper shall seek to unravel the biological basis of fear in terms of psychological and behavioural responses relating to biology. What is fear? Fear is a motivational state triggered by specific stimuli that result in or escape defensive behaviour. Enthologists believe that fear is an unpleasant emotion that comes about as a result of the perception that somebody or something dangerous is likely to happen. This unpleasant emotion triggers a form of defence mechanism that results in escape or counter behaviours. In terms of biology, a couple of neuoroendocrinal activations that are usually automatic mostly typify fear. This is essential in explaining the sudden escape of a person at the sight of a scary animal that triggers immediate activations in the brain (Strongman, 1996). This effective defence mechanism triggered by a stimulus instils fear. In this context, such instantaneous reactions to fear facilitate coping mechanisms used by the body to respond to cases of fear. The evolutionary aspects of fear The evolutionary aspects of fear mainly relate to emotional responses. Fear is a factor of de-escalating tactic interceded by the emotional (paleomammalian) part of the fore brain. As man and other animals evolved millions of years ago, they adapted differently to fear. During the evolutionary period, diverse types of fear characterized the universe and were responded to by animals and humans in dissimilar ways. Scientists conclude that the adaptations developed by humans during this period explain the response and reactions of humans towards fear (Strongman, 1996). However, a couple of fear such as the fear of height is common to all mammals because of the adaptations developed during the Mesozoic era. The fear of snakes and other dangerous reptiles came into existence during the Cenozoic era and is common to all higher primates including humans and apes. However, others such as the fear of insects and mice developed in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods are unique to humans. Dur ing these periods, insects and mice became popular carriers of dangerous infections and diseases, which resulted in different adaptive measures by humans. Such fears are still common today (Iijima, et al., 1996). The emotional brain The emotional aspect of the brain occurs at three levels: the behavioural level, the neurophysiological level and the psychological or metal level. Theories of emotion touching on the brain reveal that bodily changes tend to follow directly the perception of existing facts and human feelings of the same changes according to the occurrence of the emotion. In other words, the stimulus that reaches the cerebral cortex part of the brain provokes intuitive changes, which are perceived as emotions. Other studies have advanced that the thalamus is greatly involved in the neuropsychological matter of the brain because such matters are subcortical in nature. A biological explanation on the emotional brain is that a stimulus from the environment triggers the thalamus, which transmits information from to the viscera and cortex, and back again to the cortex to engender an emotional state (Gray McNaughton, 2000). Specific parts of the brain that work together to trigger reactions to fear stimuli Amygdala The amygdala is part of the brain structure where a majority of neurobiological events related to fear occurs. It is located just behind the pituitary gland and respond in different ways to fear stimuli. Any fear stimulus activates the Amygdala to secrete a series of hormones that immediately influence aggression and fear (Vianna, 2003). As the process of secreting such hormones into the body begins, the Amygdala prompts the body into a state of awareness and alertness, which trigger instant response from other muscles in the legs and hand to get ready for take-off or a fight. As the essential component of the limbic system, the amygdala is critical in preparing the body to respond or react to fear by secreting hormones at the trigger of a fear stimulus (Borod, 2000). It integrates rapid and direct thalamic inputs that transmit a fear stimulus and imitates a cognitive process that prepares the body to respond or react to the threat. Hippocampus The hippocampus is touted as the central structure in the brain that engages in processing contextual information necessary to fear conditioning. Situated just next to the amygdala and connected to it by the subiculum and entorhinal cortex, the hippocampusà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s main functions is to condition fear into contextual information. The hippocampus conditions fear in circumstances that involve complex polymodal events by receiving impulses from the amygdala and integrating such impulses with prior information to ignite meaningful reactions that respond to fear (Davidson, 2000). Hypothalamus The hypothalamus plays a crucial role as far as fear response is concerned. It is responsible for controlling stress reactions and other body processes including emotions and moods. Through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HTPA axis), the hypothalamus controls the limbic, pituitary, adrenal and genadotropic aspects of the body. A fear stimulus sends LC (locus ceruleus) neurons to the hypothalamus, which activates the HTPA axis that triggers the stress response linked to fear (Lewis Haviland-Jones, 2000). The connection between the hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala act to activate the HTPA axis to respond to a fear stimulus. The hypothalamus receives sensory information from the lateral part of the amygdala, processes the information and relays to the central nucleus, which then projects it to various parts of the brain that respond and react to fear. Fear stimulus impulses relayed by various neurons activate the sympathetic nervous system, as well as the modulating syst em of the HTPA axis. This triggers a run or attack response, better known as a fight or flight response mechanism (Hyman, et al., 1999). Sensory cortex The sensory cortex is an essential component of the fear response mechanism. Immediate sensory data from fear stimulus collects in the thalamus part of the brain. After the collection of the sensory data, the sensory cortex obtains the data from the thalamus, interprets it and organizes the sensory data for dissemination to the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus (Hirsh, 2004). Thalamus The thalamus also plays a critical role in fear response. The thalamus basically acts as a collection center, which gathers and collects information from essential sensory organs such as the ears, eyes and mouth. After collecting the sensory information from such organs, the thalamus has the capacity to determine where to send such information for processing. A fear stimulus from the eyes, hands or mouth sends sensory information through neurons to the thalamus, which collects and sends the information to the appropriate response organs for processing (Lewis Haviland-Jones, 2000). Fear conditioning explains the behavioural archetype displayed by organisms and their capacity to learn to respond to or predict fearful or threatening events. Fear conditioning explains why some people fear dogs to the extent that they become helpless at the sight of this à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…“monsterà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢. It is believed to depend upon the amygdala and the hippocampus in cases of contextual fear conditioning. Fear conditioning also explains the neurobiology of fear because touches on the essential components of the brain including the thalamus, the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the sensory cortex (Lewis Haviland-Jones, 2000). Latest research findings point to the fact that researchers are beginning to develop interest on the neurological processes that trigger fear response mechanisms. Conclusion The biological basis of fear can be explained by the evolutionary concepts of anxiety and emotions and adaptations of human beings to different stimuli. However, empirical research findings have established a basis for explaining the biology of fear through the human mind the structures such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus and the sensory cortex. The outcome of predisposing factors that trigger emotions tend to instill fear in human beings as discussed in this paper. The biological basis of fear in terms of psychological and behavioural responses relates to emotion and anxiety, which is an advanced form of fear. Further research should be directed to the neurochemical processes that occur in the brain and the chemical components involved in response to fear.

The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin, known as The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the and enduring comic-book series—the thrilling, globetrotting exploits of the intrepid boy reporter Tintin, his loyal dog Snowy, and his quirky band of comrades. The Secret of the Unicorn. Though the subtitle was dropped and the film pulls from several stories, that’s the primary Herge book this first film is based on. The legendary author published about two dozen Tintin books in total but, instead of starting with the first one, Spielberg and Jackson opted to jump into the middle (Unicorn was the 11th book) because it introduced a very popular sidekick character in Captain Haddock.Since they didn’t lock themselves into a specific time in the Tintin mythology.Tintin (character)Tintin is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin the comics series Belgian cartoonist Herge Tintin is the eponymous protagonist of the series; a reporter and adventure who travels around the world with his dog Snowy. The character was created in 1929 and introduced in a weekly youth supplement to the Belgian newspaper He appears as a young man, 14–19 years old with a round face and quiff hairstyle. Tintin has a sharp intellect, can command any type of vehicle, can defend himself, is honest, decent, compassionate, and kind. Through his investigative reporting, quick thinking, and all-around good nature, Tintin is always able to solve the mystery and complete the adventure. Tintin's personality is neutral, which allows the reader to not merely follow the adventures but assume Tintin's position within the story. Combined with Hergà ©'s signature (â€Å"clear line†) style, this helps the reader â€Å"safely enter a sensually stimulating world.† Captain (Haddock)Captain Haddock is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergà ©. He is Tintin's best friend, a seafaring Merchant Marine Captain. Haddock is initially depicted as a weak and alcoholic character under the control of his treacherous first mate Allan, who keeps him drunk and runs his freighter. He regains his command and his dignity, even rising to president of the Society of Sober SailorsThe Shooting Star, but never gives up his love for rum and whisky, especially Loch Lomond. In the adventure Secret of the Unicorn (and continuing in Red Rackham's Treasure he and Tintin travel to find a pirate's treasure captured by his ancestor, sir Francis Haddock (Franà §ois de Haddock in French). Captain Haddock becomes a socialite; riding a horse, wearing a monocle, and sitting in a theatre box seat (The Seven Crystal Balls). He then evolves to become genuinely heroic, volunteering to sacrifice his life to save Tintin's own in the pivotal Tintin in Tibet. In later volumes he is clearly retired. Throughout it all, the Captain's coarse humanity and sarcasm act as a counterpoint to Tintin's often implausible heroism. He is always quick with a dry comment whenever the boy reporter gets too idealistic. Captain Haddock remained without a first name until the last completed story, Tintin and the Picaros.Comparision:I love all the characters in Tintin, but Captain Haddock has a special place in my heart. Captain Haddock is undoubtedly the most appreciated character and everyone is in love with him. His confusion and forgetfulness is what i like most. Captain Archibald Haddock’s character certainly remains one of the most lovable aspects about the Tintin books. His cuss words were especially hilarious & quite unforgettable. Interestingly, in the earlier Tintin books Snowy used to be the wisecracking foil to Tintin’s comparatively bland persona; but after Haddock debuted, he took upon the role of counterbalancing Tintin, and consequently, Snowy’s role in the subsequent books diminished considerably. And I would like to believe that the river has just changed its course, it will someday flow through the familia r land of poetry once again

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Apple Stock Research Analysis - 950 Words

Apple: Stock Research Analysis Apple (AAPL) is one of the most high profile stocks in the world. Regarding its valuation, people are often confused by its high price. Even though the price is high, Apples valuation is significantly lower than its historical earnings growth rate and, more importantly, its forecast growth. Consequently, we believe that this high-profile growth stock that has recently began paying a dividend is undervalued at these levels. About Apple, taken directly from its website: Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile†¦show more content†¦However, since Apple has just begun paying a dividend, we are not yet including any dividends in our performance calculation. The following graph plots the historical P/E ratio (the dark blue line) in conjunction with 10-year Treasury note interest. Notice that the current P/E ratio on this quality company is as low as it has been since 1998. A further indication of valuation can be seen by examining a companys current price-to-sales ratio relative to its historical price-to-sales ratio. The current price-to-sales ratio for Apple is 4.30, which is historically normal. Looking to the Future Extensive research has provided a preponderance of conclusive evidence that future long-term returns are a function of two critical determinants: 1. The rate of change (growth rate) of the companys earnings 2. The price or valuation you pay to buy those earnings Forecasting future earnings growth, bought at sound valuations, is the key to safe, sound, and profitable performance. 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