In the video, neuroscientist J. Panksepp describes the approach to emotions as a science. He also points out how treating the feelings of other animals seriously might enhance the lives of humans (TEDx Talks, 2017). There are three aspects of the video that are worth discussing – the link between primal emotions and affective feelings, the existence of human emotions in animals, and the use of neuroscience in therapies.
For ages, philosophers have been captivated by the link between cognition and emotion. Many behaviors may be explained in cognitive-emotional interactions, implying that emotion and cognition can be separated (Pessoa, 2018). However, there are moments when emotions and cognition are combined, blurring the lines between them. As the primal emotions transform into strong affective feelings, the integration occurs (Niedenthal & Ric, 2017). The growth of diverse research disciplines requires a greater understanding of how cognitive and emotional processes interact.
Animals have often been treated as emotional equivalents to humans. Researchers are discovering more and more evidence that animals have emotional reactions to trigger events (Prasad, 2021). These reactions are not only natural, but they are also a fascinating illustration of development that is important to neuroscience. Although there is still more study to be done on animal emotions, there is growing evidence that they have sensations that are quite similar to human feelings and that these feelings are vital to their survival.
Using the capabilities of arithmetic operations, researchers may learn more about how the brain operates at the cellular level. It can show how it is organized and what may be missing in disorders like depression (Vinograd & Craske, 2020). This can aid in the discovery of new therapeutic paths and the testing of their efficacy through simulations. Animal models aid in the understanding of depression’s molecular alterations and the development of improved therapies.
Emotions have long been an underdeveloped area of scientific inquiry. The study of emotional processes in other animals, including related feeling states, is important in many areas and may be used in various medical treatments. Neuroscience, as it was shown in a video, can provide some remedies for pressing issues such as depression. This, alongside the other points, are valuable in understanding the complexity of neuroscience.
References
Niedenthal, P. M., & Ric, F. (2017). Theories of Emotions; The emotional Brain. Psychology of Emotion. Routledge.
Pessoa, L. (2018). Understanding emotion with brain networks. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 19, 19-25.
Prasad, A. J. (2021). Biomedical Correlates of Human Emotions. The Indian Practitioner, 74(3), 34-37.
TEDx Talks. (2017).The science of emotions: Jaak Panksepp at TEDxRainier[Video]. YouTube.
Vinograd, M., & Craske, M. G. (2020). Using neuroscience to augment behavioral interventions for depression. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 28(1), 14-25.