Dual Motive Theory (hereinafter refer to as “DMT”) is a scientifically-grounded theory based on evolutionary neuroscience and brain physiology which provides powerful new evidences that human exchange, and indeed human perception, emerged from the interplay of archetypal neural circuitries governing early vertebrate self-preserving circuitry overlaid and integrated with later evolved mammalian other-preserving circuitry.
DMT rests on the fundamental taxonomic fact that we humans are mammals. Mammals have evolved brain circuitry for both self-interest and for other-interest or Empathy. Opposed to the cold-blooded, self-preserving, self-interested, asocial brain circuitry of ancestral stem vertebrates, mammals have evolved warm-blooded, caring neural circuitry. The interactive dynamic of the two archetypal circuitries makes possible parental-child care, family-living, and social life. The dynamic interaction of the archetypal opposing brain circuitries also underlies all forms of social exchange.
By understanding these new findings, which are the key to understanding human perception, expression, motivation and creation of human-made social structures, a new paradigm for understanding human behavior can lead to new way of business and even political governance, consistent with the dynamics of human brain function based on human brain architecture.
3.1.1 MacLean’s Triune Brain
According to Paul MacLean, the human brain is the interconnected, three-level brain. He proposed two archetypal neural circuitries emerging from different periods of human evolution. The most basic is self-preserving circuitry from our early stem vertebrate ancestry involved during the Permian and Triassic periods between 250–300 million years ago which provides basic life-support functions and behaviors to include food-getting, self-defense, and reproduction. It is cold-blooded and provides for little or no social life. From the mainly survival-centered promptings of these ancestral circuits arise the motivational source for egoistic, surviving, self-interested subjective experience and behaviors.
The second archetypal set of neural circuitries emerged during our transition from ancestral vertebrates to mammals, known as the limbic system (including elaboration of such physiological structures as the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the insula, the hippocampus, the thalamus, and the limbic cingulate cortex). This circuitry brought with it the emergence of such mammalian features as nursing, parental care/infant bonding, play, and social bonding and interaction. The motivational source for empathetic, other-interested experiences and behaviors arises from such circuitry.
These dual motive circuitries, overlaid by later evolved newer brain centers-- neocortex -- allow for the higher capacities of primates and humans. It overgrew and encased the earlier mammalian and stem like vertebrate interconnected neural tissues, but did not replace them. Their dynamic interaction is the foundation of all human social exchange behaviors.
Ma begins his paper by referring to the argument made by University of Southern California professor, and well established neuroscientist, Antonio Damasio. This argument states “that feeling and emotions expressed in art and music play a central role in high-level cognitive reasoning,” (Ma 258). Ma elaborates on this by mentioning how new advances in neurobiology have made it more clear that the human brain uses dual neural pathways for thinking processes, one for critical thinking and one for empathetic thinking (Ma 258). By doing this, Ma is able to show his audience that his ideas are supported by highly respected intellectuals in the complex field of neuroscience. Ma continues to add logic to his argument through his discussion of equilibrium. Ma piggybacks on the widely-accepted idea that equilibrium is the key factor for the survival of all forms of life. He states that, “Evolution is the balance between stability and the changes necessary to cope with new challenges in the environment,” (Ma 259). Ma implies that this “balance” is necessary in all aspects of life, including cognitive reasoning. This argument is very perspicacious in the appeal that it incorporates such widely-accepted
In the nonfiction book Social:Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew D. Lieberman, the author discusses research with neuroscience relating to how strongly humans yearn to connect with one another. The book includes studies about very relevant topics such as how praise and positive feedback heavily impact one’s feelings and opinions of themselves. The author also relates evidence in the book to underlying feelings that human beings have such as selfishness and the need to please others. By using specific examples and experiences that are both personal and research based, he is able to illustrate how people see themselves personally, others around them, and how they are able to make a connection between the two. Lieberman is a professor
Rendon, M. (2008). Psychoanalysis, a bridge between attachment research and neurobiology. The American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 68(2), 148-155.
In his lecture, primatologist Robert Sapolsky explains the uniqueness of humans as well as our similarities to other primates. In doing so, he broke it down into six points of interest: aggression, theory of mind, the golden rule, empathy, pleasure in anticipation and gratification postponement, and lastly, culture. Professor Sapolsky approaches each point with interesting fact-based examples thus allowing me to gain insight on humans and other primates. Sapolsky’s knowledge of primates along with his scientific background allows him to make a clear argument that one cannot simply ignore.
The orbitofrontal cortex is associated with the limbic system including the amydala, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Association to the limbic system includes the connection to insular cortex, the parahippocampal regions and the hippocampus (Cavada et al., 2000). The limbic system influences the control of behaviour and emotions in an individ...
Sapolsky, Robert (2005). "Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality, 2nd edition". The Teaching Company.
By contrast, our thinking (neocortex) human coping brain has the ability to learn and use language. These functions require the linking of learning brain cells we call neurons. These microscopic, multi-functional neurons are building blocks not only for thinking and learning, but for deciding the way we behave. Thinking brain makes possible our organizing and planning abilities. It also enables us to figure out the meaning of our emotional experiences, such as why we are upset or hurt. The meanings of emotional experiences are what we call our
The biological perspective examines how brain processes and other bodily functions regulate behaviour. It emphasizes that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behaviour, thought, and emotion. It is believed that thoughts and emotions have a physical basis in the brain. Electrical impulses zoom throughout the brain’s cells, releasing chemical substances that enable us to think, feel, and behave. René Descartes (1596–1650) wrote an influential book (De Homine [On Man]) in which he tried to explain how the behaviour of animals, and to some extent the behaviour of humans, could be like t...
Theories of Motivation What is the motivation for this? According to the text, motivation is defined as a set of factors that activate, direct, and maintain behavior, usually toward a certain goal. Motivation is the energy that makes us do things; this is a result of our individual needs being satisfied so that we have inspiration to complete the mission. These needs vary from person to person as everybody has their individual needs to motivate themselves.
Raine, A. & Yang,Y. (2006). Neural foundations to moral reasoning and antisocial behavior. Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience.
Premack, D. (2007). Foundation of morality in the infant. Social brain matters: Stances on the neurobiology of social cognition, 190, 161-167.
pp. 164-71. LeDoux, J. E. (2002). "The 'Path How Our Brains Become Who We Are. New York: Viking Books, Inc. M. M. Merzenich, J. K. (1983).
While the concept of the “triune brain” is, as a whole, wrong, MacLean in 1970 did propose some interesting ideas about the evolution of the brain. He proposed that there are three main layers of evolutionary progress in the human brain. It starts in the middle with the most basic, the reptilian brain. The reptilian brain is the brainstem itself, and is responsible for the most basic of survival behaviors. The next layer out is what he called the paleomammilian brain, which is where MacLean says we find the limbic system. This part of the brain deals with social and emotions, and MacLean argues that most mammals have this. The third and most complex layer is the neomammilian or neocortex that deals with the highest of cognitive functions. LeDoux argues that while MacLean was fundamentally wrong about the physical layers of the brain, he was not far from the truth about the evolutionary brain. Emotions at the core are in part for survival, and so therefore the more complex the emotion, the more complex the functions needed.
The documentary, “Amazing Secrets About the Human Brain” presented by the History Channel, explains how the brain works to people with little to no academic knowledge on the subject. The brain is “the most complicated device” humans have found, so it is certainly a topic of interest to many. In the past few years, knowledge of the brain has grown significantly. The documentary’s goal is to describe the complexity of the brain and how it influences various human behaviors, such as fear, sexual arousal, sports performance, and psychic mediums. With a minor shortcoming, the documentary does a sufficient job of introducing the complexity and workings of the brain to people with little knowledge of the topic.
One scientist, Damasio, provided an explanation how emotions can be felt in humans biologically. Damasio suggested, “Various brain structures map both the organism and external objects to create what he calls a second order representation. This mapping of the organism and the object most likely occurs in the thalamus and cingulate cortices. A sense of self in the act of knowing is created, and the individual knows “to whom this is happening.” The “seer” and the “seen,” the “thought” and the “thinker” are one in the same.” By mapping the brain scientists can have a better understandi...