psyc 374 biological psychology

GPC 126GPC 126

Physiological PsychologyPhysiological Psychology

Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCCDean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC

METU-NCCMETU-NCC

Spring 2015Spring 2015

EmotionEmotion

Lecture #9Lecture #9

Lecture 5This presentation has been created to assist in the mastery of the material contained in Chapter 6-7of the text

Foundations of Physiological PsychologyFoundations of Physiological Psychologyby

Neil R. Carlson

All of the material contained in the presentation is drawn from the text.

Plan for the day

2. Review the physiological basis for stress.

1. Review the physiological basis for emotional response.

3. Consider how an understanding of these concepts can be utilized in treatment by professional counselors.

EmotionEmotionPrimary definition: The term EMOTIONEMOTION is used to refer to a subjective, conscious experience that is characterized by psychophysiological expressions, biological reactions and altered mental states.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XfCCT3ki0


EmotionEmotion

More commonly, emotions are regarded as mental responses to external environmental events occurring in the perceptual field

or to internal imagined events

conjured by an individual from memories, desires, or expectations.

EmotionEmotion

Conscious awareness and physiological response are bonded into a generally functional system that is life preserving.

Our minds and bodies respond together to the events of the world.

Amygdala(e)Amygdala(e)Part of the limbic system

Primary role: Processing and storage of memory and emotional responses.

Once a threat is perceived the amygdala generates the secretion of hormones that influence fear and aggression.

Once fear or aggression is elicited the amygdala may trigger the release of hormones into the body to put the person into a state of alertness, in which they are ready to move, run, fight, etc.

This defensive response is generally referred to in physiology as the fight-or-flight response regulated by

the hypothalamus.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XfCCT3ki0


EmotionEmotion

Name the EmotionName the Emotion

Describe Describe LoveLove

EmotionEmotion

Conscious awareness and physiological response are bonded into a generally functional system that is life preserving.

EmotionEmotion

Schacter defines emotion as a "positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity.

Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner. PSYCHOLOGY. Worth Publishers, 2011. p. 310.

EmotionEmotion

Integrated response patterns composed Integrated response patterns composed of:of:

BehaviorBehavior

Physiological Physiological responsesresponses

FeelingsFeelings

EmotionEmotion

Responses to the environment can be:Responses to the environment can be:

InnateInnate

LearnedLearned

EmotionEmotion


InnateInnate

LearnedLearned

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cqNhHrMJA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cqNhHrMJA

EmotionEmotion


AutonomicAutonomic

HormonalHormonal

Part II

The Parts and Mechanisms

of Imagery

Some Fundamental Definitions:

Mind-Body Connection….


Relaxation Response

The Mind/Body Connection…..

The link between that which is perceived and a physiological response is well documented and experienced by everyone. This is not “New Age” or mystical at all…it is physiological and is the basis for guided imagery….

Ivan Pavlov 1849-1936

Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety….

Objective Anxiety: Fear in response to something that can hurt you…(Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Royal Bengal Tiger, an armed intruder in your home…..)

What are your fears?



WarningThe next image may be The next image may be

disturbing to individuals disturbing to individuals with a snake phobiawith a snake phobia


Neurotic Anxiety: Fear in response to something that cannot hurt you…Public speaking, rejection, humiliation, failure…….etc.

Stress as a physiological response

An event occurs in the perceptual field

This event is perceived (real or imagined) and evaluated for threat potential in relation to the individual

If the event is perceived as threatening a series of physiological responses are elicited which prepare the individual for fight or flight.

The adrenals are stimulated to produce adrenaline related hormones into the bloodstream which trigger a flood of physical events including:

a. increased cardiac rateb. elevated blood pressure (Hypertension)c. increased respiration rate: becoming rapid and shallowd. release of stored energy from the liver in the bloode. pupillary dilationf. increased sensory sensitivityg. tensing of the muscles for movement or protective actionh. Activation of blood clotting mechanismsI. Shutdown of the digestive system, making blood more available

to oxygenate the musclesj. constriction of blood flow to the extremitiesk. profuse diaphoresis (sweating)

Most of these symptoms are rather unpleasant feelings and it is the awareness of these symptoms that cause us to say….”I’m stressed!!”

Your reaction to the sight of a dangerous snake is likely to have been similar to the trajectory depicted below…..


Neurotic Anxiety: Fear in response to something that cannot “hurt” you physically….(Public speaking, social rejection, failing a math test) These are threats to the ego…..and imagination is the delivery boy…..


Your reaction to such threats to the ego may be more like this trajectory…


The body’s response is identical…..Whether experienced in real time or via one’s imagination

Your reaction to the “PICTURE” of the snake….

Your reaction to the thought of failing a test or giving a speech….


Your response to an imagined event or situation can be very deep, very real…..and can affect your behavior.

This is something we can put to use a bit later on !

Most of these symptoms are rather unpleasant feelings and it is theawareness of these symptoms that cause us to say….

”I’m stressed!!”

The three most common reasons individuals seek counseling …

Many clients will present with one or more of the following…..

The Big Three

StressPerceived by the body as a threat….

Not always by the mind….we can deceive ourselves…

Denial !.....

Stressed…no, I’m OK

AnxietyThe sense of fear or unease experienced in the absence of objective danger.

DepressionQuite literally the shutting down of the body as the result of prolonged exposure to threat, anxiety…..

Fatigue from prolonged neurologic elevation……

Hans Selye defined stress in terms of the response your body makes to any demand on it.

Source: Selye, 1974

Its not stress that kills us, it Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.is our reaction to it. Hans Selye (1974)

And our reaction to it can be controlled, learned, and changed.

Selye also gave us the idea of the relaxation response.

The relaxation response

Nearly all clients come to counseling in a state of stresswhich inherently sets limits on what can beaccomplished. To reduce this stress there are twooptions….

A. Treat the stress response with chemicals….

B. Teach the client to relax….relaxation is a physiological response that can be taught as a skill to be mastered. Teaching a client how to relax is the key to using imagery effectively.

Joseph Wolpe (1915-1997)

Systematic Desensitization/Reciprocal InhibitionOne of the first techniques that used imagery for behavior change.

Three Step Process:

1. Teach the relaxation response

2. Create a hierarchy of stress provoking scenes or images….

3. Progress through the hierarchy by pairing images of anxiety provoking stimuli with relaxation to weaken the association.

This approach is still frequently used to teach clients more effective ways of dealing with normal fears and even phobic responses……


Visualization

VisualizationOur thoughts, personal images, and memories tend to

be stored in our minds not as written scripts or lines of text…..

but as vivid sensory images…usually visual but often auditory, olfactory, tactile, or even gustatory…….the fragrance industry is based upon this…and, of course, classical conditioning……

The relaxation responseGoal: To relieve tension and to prepare for deep relaxation or guided imagery

Time: 1-2 minutes

Warm-up: Breathing is a powerful building block for relaxation. The quick breath technique can be used any time, any place, for rapid relaxation and mental focusing.

Breath Script

Close your eyes for a couple of minutes….

The easiest body-only technique for relaxation is something you’ve been doing since your arrival in the world….breathing. Everyone breathes, but few know how to breath for relaxation.

Stop now, and take a truly relaxing breath…Inhale through your nose with a shallow breath…And exhale through your mouth….Inhale slightly more deeply now….and exhale now with sound….Inhale more deeply….and again exhale forcefully….Inhale to capacity…..And exhale completely, emptying your lungs all of the way…Repeat this breath cycle ten times…Or until you feel completely relaxed….Maintaining a steady rhythm of inhalations and exhalations as you breathe……

The relaxation response

Progressive, Passive, Relaxation (PPR)

Extended Demonstration

Spontaneous Imagery

Spontaneous Imagery

This is the naturally occurring

imagery that all of us experience…..

Ever had a fantasy???

Come on, you know you have…..

Please share!

Spontaneous Imagery

May be pleasant

(fantasy)

Spontaneous Imagery

May be unpleasant

(Worry)

Spontaneous Imagery

Unlike dreaming, it is totally under our personal control….

It is crafted by us based upon

what we know, care for, value,

expect, understand, want….etc.

Spontaneous Imagery

Is a projection of who and what

we are…..therefore…

It makes sense to teach your

client to pay attention to them.

Spontaneous Imagery:

A very natural and quite normal inner experience usually involving imagery from one or more of the senses. Unlike the dreams of sleep, fantasy is completely under one’s control.

Imagery is a very safe technique to use with clients of all ages….

Spontaneous Imagery……A very private, inner experience usually occurring at times of cognitive or sensory “boredom”…like now, in this class!!

Mother Nature’s attempt at self-stimulation…to keep our nervous systems awake and responsive…but also an excellent source of information for and about your client

The projective hypothesis: If one presents to a client a vague and non-specific request….the answer will be an expression of who and what the client is, knows about, cares about, is concerned with, etc……..

Consider the Rorschach, The TAT, or the Kinetic Family Drawing

Spontaneous Imagery can become a way of suspending reality just long enough to get a clear view of your client’s:

Needs, Wants, Knowledge, Values,

Preferences, and Fears……plus a lot of other stuff if you care to listen…

Would anyone care to share…..An imagined alternative career, perhaps?

Spontaneous Imagery (Negative)

When you are anxious, stressed, or depressed what images do you produce…..What do you create to scare yourself????

Spontaneous Imagery (Negative)

What things do you imagine to create fear and anxiety for yourself each day…..?????

About yourself: Your ability, your appearance, your worth….

Your Family, Spouse, Children….

Your job..home, security, savings….just what ????

Write them down….. And perhaps share them with us…

Spontaneous Imagery (Positive)

When you are happy, relaxed, bored with a long drive/flight….what images do you produce…..to make yourself feel really calm and quiet and at peace?

About Yourself

Your Family,

Your job

Write them down….and we’ll share…

Part IIIPart III

Guided Guided Imagery Imagery

TechniquesTechniques

Guided Imagery and Visualization

Guided Imagery is a kind of directed daydreaming, a way of using the imagination in a focused, directed way to help mind and body heal, stay strong, and perform without limitations.

Initially, a person is guided through progressive relaxation to a comfortable and peaceful state. In the process of guided imagery, a person, in a relaxed state, visualizes a series of directed images that create vivid and useful vicarious experiences in a safe and controlled environment. A mental Flight Simulator if you will……

Guided Imagery and Visualization

Guided imagery capitalizes on the incredible capacity of the imagination to create and recreate sensory images that have a powerful impact on the mind and body..

For counselors Fantasy and Imagery can be a rich source of information, power, motivation, and energy which can be harnessed and put to work….

Memory: images of what has been..PTSD “Flashbacks”….

Fantasy: images of what can be….

Benefits Structured Fantasy

Guided Imagery

• It’s free

• It’s safe

• Everyone does it anyway…

• Can be used anywhere to go anywhere and be or do anything……

OK but what can you do with it??

Within Current Medical Practice

Cardiac Rate Respiratory Rate

Blood Pressure O2 consumption

Intestinal Motility Sexual Arousal

Immune System Blood Sugar

Perception of Pain

Remember that “Mind-Body” thing???

There is also evidence that imagery can also enhance:

Problem solving

Coping with change/loss

Decision Making

Behavioral change

Attitude adjustment

The use of imagery need not be a “stand alone” technique …It can be easily integrated into many forms therapy including:

CBT (vicarious behavioral rehearsal)

Gestalt (Unfinished Business)

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy(Scaling& miracle questions)

Now some Stories

Assess: maturity, values, knowledge, needs, drives, fears, etc

Teach: Go anywhere, be anything, do anything…try anything….

Explore: new attitudes, beliefs, vocations, lifestyles, ad infinitum

Evaluate options: vicariously experience the effects of choices…

Relax: no duh?

Rehearse: try new and adaptive behaviors again and again…

Four Phases of a Guided Fantasy

Introduction

Induction

Fantasy

Processing


I. Introduction

1. Explain the rationale and process to the client.

2. Answer any questions & deal with any expressions of self-consciousness.

3. Select a place relatively free from extraneous stimuli…subdued lighting and quiet

4. Ask the client to adopt a posture which will be comfortable for 10-15 minutes.

5. Allow a few moments of quiet before beginning

6. The goal is to de-mystify the entire process…..


II. Induction1. This is basically just a brief relaxation exercise designed to achieve two goals….

a. Relaxation (obviously)

b. To establish compliant imaging….

2.Vocal rate and quality are important so speak softly, slowly, and give the client sufficient time to conjure up the images you are creating and suggesting….a monotone voice is preferred.

3. A common technique is to utilize commercially available audio tapes of streams, woodland and forest sounds, or surf as background to the relaxation exercise.


III. Fantasy1. Select either a “stock” fantasy or create a customized one to be used for teaching or exploration.

2. In a fantasy you can take your clients anywhere you, or they, can imagine. You can let them do or be anything…You can impose as much reality as you wish beginning with little or none as you explore options. Later on you can impose a great deal more as you evaluate tentative choices or courses of action.

3. Avoid any unnecessary cues which could upset or interrupt a fantasy.

4. Select either an “open” or “closed” ending for the fantasy but, in either case, allow plenty of time….don’t rush the process.

A Possible Future

The Statue


IV. Processing: Don’t Interpret!1. The principle goal of this entire process is to provide a mechanism by which a client can learn and gain insight. This is probably best done by inviting you client to share the experience.

2. Your task and role is to enhance and make more vivid the entire fantasy experience for the client. Please avoid the temptation to explain or interpret the meaning of the client’s fantasy. The goal is to get the client involved with finding meaning in these experiences (insight) and besides, you’ll probably be wrong anyway. Nobody knows your clients better than they.

3. A useful technique is to ask the client to write down a synopsis of the fantasy immediately upon its completion and before too much can be forgotten. Remember, your function is to provide the structure and your clients provide the content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary for clients to be relaxed before the fantasy begins?

Generally, yes. One cannot fully attend to the experience unless there is some degree of relaxation present. Expect your client to relax and become more fully involved as you use this technique more and more.


How do you deal with a resistant client?

In most cases, a simple description of how normal and natural the entire process is will cause a client to try it with you. Listen to your client and respect his or her concerns and never insist on participation. In most cases clients will become very interested after having experienced relaxation and a few pleasant fantasy experiences.


Are there any dangers in using guided imagery or fantasy?

In more than 30 years I can think of none…except some clients become so relaxed that they fall asleep during an exercise or become so involved in the experience that they are reluctant to return and open their eyes. Normally, a gentle reminder to open their eyes is enough.

and finally, some more housekeeping

Please help me return the classroom to it Please help me return the classroom to it original condition…..original condition…..

1. Take your rubbish with you……

2. Place the student desks in their original order.

Thank you…., Gracias, Merci, Danke, teşekkür ederim, ありがとう , Asante, gratias ago vos,Dank u, Takk skal du ha, спасибо ……

Harika!!

Too many drugs??

psyc 374 biological psychology

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