Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions (Series in Affective Science)

Some investigators have argued that emotions, especially animal emotions, are illusory concepts outside the realm of scientific inquiry. However, with advances in neurobiology and neuroscience, researchers are demonstrating that this position is wrong as they move closer to a lasting understanding of the biology and psychology of emotion. In Affective Neuroscience, Jaak Panksepp provides the most up-to-date information about the brain-operating systems that organize the fundamental emotional tendencies of all mammals. Presenting complex material in a readable manner, the book offers a comprehensive summary of the fundamental neural sources of human and animal feelings, as well as a conceptual framework for studying emotional systems of the brain. Panksepp approaches emotions from the perspective of basic emotion theory but does not fail to address the complex issues raised by constructionist approaches. These issues include relations to human consciousness and the psychiatric implications of this knowledge. The book includes chapters on sleep and arousal, pleasure and fear systems, the sources of rage and anger, and the neural control of sexuality, as well as the more subtle emotions related to maternal care, social loss, and playfulness. Representing a synthetic integration of vast amounts of neurobehavioral knowledge, including relevant neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry, this book will be one of the most important contributions to understanding the biology of emotions since Darwins The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. In Affective Neuroscience, Jaak Panksepp Provides The Most Up-to-date Information About The Brain-operating Systems That Organize The Fundamental Emotional Tendencies Of All Mammals. Presenting Complex Material In A Readable Manner, The Book Offers A Comprehensive Summary Of The Fundamental Neural Sources Of Human And Animal Feelings, As Well As A Conceptual Framework For Studying Emotional Systems Of The Brain. Panksepp Approaches Emotions From The Perspective Of Basic Emotion Theory But Does Not Fail To Address The Complex Issues Raised By Constructionist Approaches. Affective Neuroscience : History And Major Concepts -- Emotional Operating Systems And Subjectivity : Methodological Problems And A Conceptual Framework For The Neurobiological Analysis Of Affect -- The Varieties Of Emotional Systems In The Brain : Theories, Taxonomies, And Semantics -- Neurostatics : The Anatomy Of The Brain/mind -- Neurodynamics : The Electrical Languages Of The Brain -- Neurodynamics : Neurochemical Maps Of The Brain -- Sleep, Arousal, And Mythmaking In The Brain -- Seeking Systems And Anticipatory States Of The Nervous System -- Energy Is Delight : The Pleasures And Pains Of Brain Regulatory Systems -- Nature Red In Tooth And Claw : The Neurobiological Sources Of Rage And Anger -- The Sources Of Fear And Anxiety In The Brain -- The Varieties Of Love And Lust : Neural Control Of Sexuality -- Love And The Social Bond : The Sources Of Nurturance And Maternal Behavior -- Loneliness And The Social Bond : The Brain Sources Of Sorrow And Grief -- Rough-and-tumble Play : The Brain Sources Of Joy -- Emotions, The Higher Cerebral Processes, And The Self : Some Are Born To Sweet Delight, Some Are Born To Endless Night. Jaak Panksepp. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 343-429) And Indexes. Although the various forms of emotional arousal do many things in the brain, one of the most important and most neglected topics in neuroscience is the attempt to understand how emotional feelings are generated.