Campusalam

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Compared to the 'neo-cortex' - which we can nickname the thinking brain - the 'limbic system' or emotional brain tends to see things in black and white terms. It's all-or-nothing, always-never. It can only deal with our own perspective: our own needs, feelings, views.

Because information gets first to the emotional brain, that means the emotional brain can control our overall thinking and reactions. When emotions are high, the emotional brain is in complete control. It can actually shut down access to the thinking brain. The emotional brain can and does save our lives in an urgent or dangerous situation. In an emergency, we need to be able to take action quickly, not sit and logically ponder the variables. If we are being attacked by man-eating animals, ‘seeing their point of view’ will not help us survive.

But many of the ‘threats’ or situations that cause us emotion in social situations are not like that. In those situations, the emotional brain stops us from negotiating disagreement successfully and solving interpersonal problems. People react swiftly – the emotional brain works faster than the thinking brain. They see things in absolute terms, black and white. They are absolutely right and those who disagree are totally wrong; it’s as simple as that. They are unable to see other points of view. Half-measures won’t do, solutions have to be total, maybe even extreme.


When we are very emotional, we cannot even process information that contradicts us.

The emotional brain won’t let us. As far as it is concerned, our actual survival may be at stake.


Strong emotions that are happy can lock up the thinking brain too – just think of what happens to some people when they are in love, or sexually aroused. They don’t usually think clearly then, either…