An Introduction to Positive Psychology Pleasure is related to regions of the brain known as

“pleasure hot spots” that are associated with the

Martin E. P. Seligman
neural pathways of craving. (limbic system/brain stem)
- 1998 president of the American Psychological
enkephalins or endorphins appear to increase pleasure
Association
and decrease the experience of pain

oxytocin (love hormone) is associated with social

Basic Emotions bonding, trust, and emotional support 75 within couple

- Hierarchy/tree of emotions Neuroplasticity – basically use it or lose it, ability of the

neurons to adapt to produce more dendrites forming
27 Categories of emotions new connections
- Includes admiration (feeling impressed, pride, Neurogenesis
amazement), adoration (love, happiness), joy
(happiness, love), and interest (amazement, Do genes rule our emotional life? How stable is
feeling intrigued) happiness?

Components of emotions Highly Sensitive Person

Motivation

- Concepts of motivation & well-being

The God-shaped Brain by Timothy Jennings

2 Tim 1:7

Fear is not a gift of God; the opposite of love is fear

Why do we have some destabilization or mental health

issues? Because of fear – continuum

2 extreme sides of fear:

Megalomania – most extreme side; what they do with

their fear is they tend to be aggressive (Ex: Hitler, Stalin,
The “Happy” Brain Castro, people who created wars)
 Positive emotions are being processed in the They were hiding their fear by being bold, aggressive,
Prefrontal Cortex; (+ emotions like love,
gratitude, altruism, empathy); decisions & House Mouse – they run away from the situation,
processing debilitated by their fear
 Fear, anger, lust, disgust, disappointment, urges
What is the center side? Addicts, shopaholic, different
- limbic system (anything that is exciting, that
kind of abuses people do, phobias
needs self-control)
 Negative emotions – needs a lot of thinking
 TRUE – prefrontal cortex; LIES (CHEAT) -limbic
system

left prefrontal cortex of the brain is more activated

when we are happy

Craving - related to the neurotransmitter dopamine that

is created in the brain stem.