Sunday, April 25, 2010

Functional Anatomy of HUMOR: Positive Affect and Chronic Mental Illness – Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences


Katherine H. Taber, Ph.D., Maurice Redden, M.D. and Robin A. Hurley, M.D.

While negative emotional states have been extensively studied, investigation of positive emotions is relatively new.6 An evolutionary perspective on the value of emotions is potentially illuminating. The adaptive value of many negative emotions has been related to promoting fast and appropriate responding during high risk situations (fight or flight).7 Under life-threatening circumstances, a narrowing of response patterns is necessary for rapid response selection and performance. In contrast it has been proposed that the adaptive value of humor and positive affect is to promote a broadening of response. This provides a way to explore new possibilities in times of safety.7 In Fredrickson’s model, general categories of positive emotions have different but complementary adaptive value that build an individual’s physical, intellectual and social resources. 

The emotion of joy (or happiness), for example, is associated with imaginative play, which is characterized by "exploration, invention, and just plain fooling around."7 Among other benefits, play promotes the learning of new skills. The emotion of interest (or wonder) promotes exploration, leading to a broadening and deepening of knowledge. Read more - Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences ------- Photo ---------- Photo


Related links:

To err is human, to forgive divine.
Pope, Alexander (1688 - 1744), An Essay on Criticism 

Foreign Office apologises for Pope 'condom' memo – BBC News – Read more

Britain sorry for papal condoms proposal – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) – read more

Foreign Office sorry for insult to Pope – by Kate Youde – Times Online –read more

Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach - read more

“However, Don’t Ever Underestimate The Power Of $80 Million Dollars Here And There.” Daniel Schorr – read more

Photo - Buenos Aires, Argentine


Kids Are Being Hurt!!!


“Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well considered and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit.” Erik Erikson

…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6

Protect children 
and the entire world 
will be safe.

Important note: No disrespect meant to Pope Benedict XVI or the hierarchy, the one and only concern is the safety and well-being of children. Kids Are Being Hurt!!!




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