Human Brain Video Reflection

CHAPTER 3 3

Chapter 3

Questions for Reflection after viewing the Human Brain Video

Q 1.

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that “all human behavior, thoughts, and feelings are produced by the actions of our brains, nerves, muscles and glands” (e-text – Introduction to Psychology, p. 116). Advances in our understanding of the brain and its operations has led to further refinement of navy seal training – especially when it comes to the management of panic and fear. I believe that there is indeed need to ensure that navy seals are trained to make sound decisions within the shortest time possible. This is especially important because in highly stressful environments, the wrong course of action - triggered by panic - could easily cost them their lives. Indeed, panic has been cited in the Discovery Documentary Channel video as one of the most frequent reasons recruits fail at pool comp. Those whose brain has been trained to manage panic and fear acquire the ability to maintain composure during the various high stress scenarios. I believe that this is something I could also do to enhance my chances of success in various ‘high-stress’ scenarios in life. In essence, I would be taking deliberate steps to enhance my mental toughness - further promoting my ability to control fear and respond to the said scenarios in a logical manner.

Q 2.

I could use the Big 4 to enhance my chances of passing this course.

Goal Setting: able to comprehend and understand key module content. I will gauge my understanding by assessing how well I am able to explain the said key concepts to friends and family members who have no background in psychology.

Visualization: Conjure up mental images of myself receiving the relevant certification (as well as congratulatory messages from friends and family) after having successfully completed the course.

Self-Talk: “If others have passed the course, so can I.”

Arousal Control: Use prayer as a way of dealing with things that I consider to be beyond my control.

Q 3.

To a large extent, I would consider myself a thrill seeker. This is more so the case given that I have in the past engaged in various thrill seeking behaviors including, but not limited to, scuba diving. This activity gives me a feeling of elation and excitement I rarely experience elsewhere. Thus, I do scuba diving for the ‘high’ or excitement I derive from the same. The Discovery Documentary Channel video has enhanced my understanding of what happens inside my brain as I pursue thrill seeking activities. To a large extent, this has got to do with dopamine (a neurotransmitter) release. In basic terms, “a neurotransmitter is a chemical that relays signals across synapses between neurons” (e-text – Introduction to Psychology, p. 81). It is this particular neurotransmitter that results in the excitement and the ‘feel good’ experience one has during thrill seeking engagements. The Discovery Documentary Channel video goes ahead to explain why thrill seekers seek new and more demanding or risky experiences. I resonate with this assertion owing to the fact that I have been considering engaging in cave diving which is considered the riskiest form of diving. According to Gregory Berns from Emory University (as cited in the Discovery Documentary Channel video), repeated exposure to pleasures results in decreased dopamine release over time. As a consequence, we get a ‘little less bang for the buck” (Discovery Documentary Channel, 2015). It is for this reason that a thrill seeker will likely pursue a riskier or more demanding ‘thrill.’

Q 4.

As has been indicated in the Discovery Documentary Channel video, people who commit violent crimes have impaired brains. In addition to finding evidence of improper communication between the frontal lobes and amygdala in the brain of a psychopath, scientists have established that the brains of psychopaths have a shrunken amygdala. As has been pointed out in the Discovery Documentary Channel video, research indicates that in comparison to normal persons, psychopaths do not care much when they make a mistake. Also, as Adrian Raine of the University of Pennsylvania indicates, although psychopaths are aware that killing an individual is wrong, they lack the feeling of what is deemed moral (Discovery Documentary Channel, 2015). They cannot identify or associate with the pain felt by other persons. They, thus, lack empathy.