Psychopaths have faulty brain connections, scientists find

Suggested by Pocholo Peralta (Plato Online)

Psychopaths who kill and rape have faulty connections between the part of the brain dealing with emotions and that which handles impulses and decision-making, scientists have found.

In a study of psychopaths who had committed murder, manslaughter, multiple rape, strangulation and false imprisonment, the British scientists found that roads linking the two crucial brain areas had “potholes,” while those of non-psychopaths were in good shape.

By Kate Kelland (Reuters)

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Training the mind changes the brain

Whenever we talk about positive interventions, we are assuming that people are malleable. William James wrote about intentional activity to change habits in ways that make life better. That’s the premise of books like The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky: that research has shown that people can make lasting changes in their level of happiness, but it requires action, effort and persistence.

Richard DavidsonThat’s what psychologists have found. Neuroscientists are finding the same thing. Richard Davidson is a neuroscientist who uses brain imaging to study behavior and emotion. (See his site for a more technically correct description of what he does.) He claims, “Social and emotional learning changes the brain,” and “We can change the brain by training the mind.” Social and emotional learning is a process by which people become better at understanding and managing emotions and learn how emotions impact the choices they make, the relationships they have, and their outlook in life.

By Kathryn Britton (Positive Psychology News Daily)

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How brain controls perception of emotional events

What do emotions mean and how do we retain past events in the mind? Such questions have bugged people for long. Now, scientists have found key processes in the brain that control the emotional significance of experiences and how individuals form memories of them.

By Thaindian News

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A robot that can cry?

Illusions In the Mind Create Irrational Fears

People will often refer to their emotions or fears as irrational. But if we learn how emotions are created, we can see that they are not irrational. They are actually the practical result of what the mind and imagination are doing. It is what the mind and imagination are doing that are completely irrational. Or I should say fabricated in a virtual reality of illusions.

When we understand how the mind creates illusions through stories and how emotions are created from believing these scenarios, then we see that emotions make complete sense. Once we understand this, we no longer fear our emotions. Emotions are just a result of the mind telling stories without our direction over the outcome. To gain self mastery over the mind and the direction of the imagination is how we will get a handle on our emotions.

By Gary van Warmerdam (Pathway to Happiness)

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Happiness is all in the mind

Forget the pills and potions, hold the tissues, and be positive. It just may be a good way to avoid a cold. People with a positive emotional style – happy, lively and calm – were nearly three times less likely to develop a cold after being exposed to a virus than negative-minded volunteers.

By Roger Dobson (iol)

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Emotion robots learn from people

Making robots that interact with people emotionally is the goal of a European project led by British scientists.

Feelix Growing is a research project involving six countries, and 25 roboticists, developmental psychologists and neuroscientists.

By BBC News

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Emotions are learnt paradigms

Emotions are learnt in our world through experiencing feelings.

Have we ever stopped to think about how emotions play a role within our lives? When a person has a feeling within their body, a reaction to a causal event, they then create a set feedback in which to respond to the input they are receiving, this is called emotion. It happens everyday in our lives that when we have to come into face with situations or conversations, these experiences spark certain reactions within our bodies that can change the way we choose to handle the situation at hand.

By Stacey T Pollock

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Controlling Our Brain’s Perception Of Emotional Events

Research performed by Nicole Lauzon and Dr. Steven Laviolette of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario has found key processes in the brain that control the emotional significance of our experiences and how we form memories of them.

By Science Daily

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Your Perception is Everything

Let me tell you my story. The other day a friend of mine came over to my place for just one reason; to complain about a recent event, a disturbing event as he explained it to me. When he finished his “monologue” (I am sorry, but I have no other word) I just said one thing: perception is everything. Instantly he was angry and started yelling at me. ” What do you mean by that, Mr. Philosopher?” he asked, incensed. “Are you saying I am a liar or crazy or that it’s my imagination?”

By Jahiel Yasha Kamhi (personal-development.com)

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