Neuro Physiological Patterns – Part 3
Posted by Ben TienJan 25
Every perception, concept, and idea which enters into our implicit memory system is coded by an intricate reorganization of bioelectric, biochemical, and possibly even genetic responses.. This signature or codification is synonymous with what is known as our feelings. The physical manifestation of our memories is found in our feelings. All knowledge has a powerful kinesthetic component.
Our dual memory systems work in unison and in tandem. Due to the limitations of the explicit memory system, implicit memories provide the color that makes memories seem real. For instance, a memory of the relevance of a loved one or the object of our distrust or disgust may be meaningfully recalled though our explicit system, which will only serve to provide the outline and basic filtered facts about that person. ( Details may be available should due to how recently the pattern was formed. The more details, such as color, association – versus dissociation, clarity of sound, strength of smell or taste – will also be related to the feeling derived from the implicit memory. ) However, this will trigger the implicit recall, thereby providing the emotional or rather feeling context. The bi – directional nature of the implicit / explicit memory relationship is why emotional triggering of kinesthetic reactions occurs. NLP practitioners will quickly recognize that this is the basis of their anchoring concepts.
During our entire lifetime we continually build up a library of patterns to support our recognition system. As explicit memories also contain the element of meaning, it is important to realize that without meaning many of our perceptions are completely irrelevant. As an example, consider a person in her 40 ‘ s who goes through surgery to restore vision which was lost at infancy. Even though she can now see, she has no concept of the meaning of what she is seeing. She can see a face but not understand that the person is a loved family member. Or, she will see a curb, but still stumble over it as she has never been able to associate the curb with the danger it presents. Thus over time our learning provides needed context for our explicit memories.
While understanding memory is critical to understanding how patterns are stored and recalled, appreciating thought formation is necessary if we are to realize how perceptions and ideas become the content for new memories.
Perceptions can either originate in the external environment or from the consciousness of subordinate systems. However, artificial perceptions – which are created by the imagination or anticipation created within the right orbitofrontal cortex – will produce similar thought processes.
Thought is a process which creates new explicit and implicit patterns.. A pattern is a network or signature of interdependent associations. When new associations are created, regardless whether it results in new explicit and / or implicit patterns, a thought has occurred. Thoughts are synonymous with the term learning.
When imagined or perceived phenomena reaches the limbic system, the anterior cingulate cortex ( ACC ) – the brain ‘ s switchboard – attempts to match / recognize the phenomena with existing patterns. When this happens successfully, feedback is transmitted to the limbic system. As the endocrine system is triggered by the hypothalamus – pituitary interaction, biochemical and bioelectric responses occur. The ACC locates a recognized pattern as encoded in explicit and implicit memories and no further response is necessary. The limbic response is one of comfort. At that point the basal ganglia ‘ s caudate nucleus releases sufficient dopamine to inform the ACC to cease its search.
When the ACC is unable to find an immediate pattern match, it will attempt to find similar patterns and synthesize a new pattern. This process is called thinking. When pattern matching fails, biochemical and bioelectric responses will result in a feeling of uneasiness. New patterns result in new explicit and implicit memories. Again, when the cycle is completed by the formation of a new pattern, the caudate nucleus will give its all clear by releasing dopamine. ( Using this conceptual framework of thought also begins to explain the nature of creativity. )
On the other hand, if the ACC should fail to quickly locate either a matching pattern or similar patterns from which a new one can be synthesized, then it will continue to function. Due to the ACC ‘ s inability to signal back to the thalamus an achievement of closure, its continued operation will quickly result in an increased requirement for additional glucose. This will also result in both a dumbing down of nearby energy starved substrates, such as the temporal lobes and the prefrontal cortices, and cause the limbic system to trigger a fear / flight reaction. While this will increase motivation for the brain to find a solution, this prolonged stress on the neuro – physiology will negatively affect brain capability as it serves to retard functioning and may adversely affect the adaptive immune system.
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