18. Emotion, learning, and memory
18. Emotion, learning, and memory
- Gillian Pocock, Gillian PocockSenior Lecturer in Clinical Science, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
- Christopher D. RichardsChristopher D. RichardsEmeritus Professor of Experimental Physiology, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- and David A. RichardsDavid A. RichardsAssociate Professor, Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Husson University School of Pharmacy, Bangor, Maine, USA
Abstract
This chapter explores how the brain assesses aspects of the world which cause humans to adjust their behaviour to assist survival. Moreover, human beings are social creatures who enjoy the company of their fellows, with whom they communicate using the complicated processes of speech. It points out that people require a certain level of self-awareness, this is called consciousness, to achieve all these behaviours. The chapter considers underlying physiological processes which raise many questions, such as what consciousness is, how is a representation of the external world formed, and how memories trigger emotions. It discusses the neural processes that underlie the phenomena of emotion, learning, and memory.
