Some of our behaviours are very primitive
and incapable of adaptation. They make us react to external
or internal stimuli automatically. They meet our most fundamental
needs: eating, drinking, and copulating. Neurophysiologically
speaking, these behaviours represent the activation of the “reptilian” structures
of the brain, bringing the hypothalamus and the brainstem
into play.
Other, more sophisticated behaviours involve
remembering pleasant or unpleasant sensations that
we experienced in the past and the actions that caused
us to experience them at the time. These behaviours represent
most of the social and cultural knowledge that we acquire.
In connection with these behaviours emotions arise–the
awareness of the cardiovascular adjustments necessary for
action. Neurophysiologically speaking, these behaviours
represent the activation of the “mammalian” structures
of the brain, bringing the limbic system into play.
Yet other behaviours involve more elaborate planning. They
call on the imagination, and hence on the associative cortex,
to develop strategies for ensuring that our actions will
be gratifying rather than painful. They represent the creative
and innovative abilities of the human mind. Neurophysiologically
speaking, these behaviours represent the activation of the “neocortical” structures
of the brain, bringing the associative areas of the cerebral
cortex into play. |