Luiz Pessoa on the integrative framework, emotions, cognition
Jul 30, 2023
auto_awesome
Luiz Pessoa, a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Maryland, discusses the interactions between cognitive and emotional brain systems. Topics include the integration and segregation of brain networks, the rise of network science in understanding the brain, understanding mental health as a result of brain system interactions, the complexity of causation in neural networks, the role of attention in processing emotional visual stimuli, and the importance of integrating philosophy and neuroscience.
Complex behaviors are generated by the collective interaction of multiple brain regions.
Emotion and cognition are strongly integrated and interact in the brain.
Understanding brain function requires considering the collective behavior of multiple brain regions.
Deep dives
The brain as an integrated system
The speaker challenges the idea of the brain as separate systems and suggests a more integrative perspective. Instead of mapping specific functions to individual brain regions, the speaker proposes that complex behaviors are generated by the collective interaction of multiple regions.
The relationship between emotion and cognition
The speaker discusses the historical separation between emotion and cognition in Western thinking. However, through research on emotional stimuli and attention, it is revealed that there is a strong interaction and integration between these two domains in the brain.
Causation and emergence in the brain
The speaker explores the challenges of understanding causation and emergence in the brain. With the brain's complex network of bidirectional connections, causation becomes more nuanced, and emergence is seen as a result of the overall configuration and interaction of multiple brain regions.
Understanding computational architecture
The podcast explores the concept of computational architecture in the brain. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand the specific architecture and system of the brain, rather than just considering it as a mapping of inputs to outputs. This involves identifying the types of states, dynamics, connections, and components present in the brain. The speaker also discusses the importance of constraints in the architecture and how it narrows down the range of possible ways the brain can function.
The importance of integration and collective computation
The podcast highlights the role of integration and collective computation in understanding brain function. The speaker proposes that complex behaviors and mental capabilities arise from the collective behavior of multiple brain regions, rather than being solely localized in individual areas. They argue that understanding the interactions and interdependencies between different brain regions is crucial to comprehending the emergence of complex behaviors and the impact of factors such as motivation and emotion. The speaker suggests that these collective properties are not easily explained by breaking them down into separate cognitive, emotional, or functional components, but rather require a more integrative approach.
Luiz Pessoa is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Maryland and director of the Maryland Neuroimaging Center. Dr. Pessoa uses behavioural and functional MRI methods to study cognition and emotion (as manipulated, for instance, via the threat of shock), with an emphasis on the interactions between cognitive and emotional brain systems.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode