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Sessions:
Attachment: Session 5
Biology of Attachment
Jeffery Smith, MD
jssmith@me.com
Reading: Optional: Cozolino, Lousi, Attachment and the Developing Social Brain Norton, 1006
Written Assignment: After each session, please write a 1 page reacton: "What struck you about this reading." Bring your paper to share at the beginning of class.
A Few Key Areas--
Attachment and evolution
Evolution
The Triune Brain: Reptilian, Paleomamalian, Neomamalian
The reptilian freeze reflex turned to attachment
Speed vs. flexibility
Brain Structure:
left and Right Hemispheres
Hormones
Oxytocin & Vasopressin
Dopamine
Endorphins
Steroid stress hormones
Phermones
Jacobson's organ
Sight
Brain regions
Cingulate Cortex
Prefrontal Cortex
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Hypothalamus
Broca's area shuts down under high stress-- speechless terror
Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic: The "Vagal Brake"
Miscellaneous points:
Brain not as concerned with pleasure as with survival.
Extroverts rewarded by approach of others, introverts not.
Foundation of happiness is lack of fear.
Attractive people seems hard wired and produces many postive
effects out of consciousness.
PS:
Belsky: Attachment security is not heritable.
Sensitive parenting is the agent of security
Sensitive parenting may enhance child having clear and
reliable model of predictable safe world. Internal Working
model.
Shame: State of submission seen in many mammals when ejected
from the group.