Explain the term 'reptilian brain' to me - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Shokan · 08-26-2003, 06:05 AM

I keep hearing it, and have no clue what it means.

JadziaDax · 08-26-2003, 06:09 AM

It is the part of your brain that is at the base of your skull emerging from your spinal column. It is responsible for basic functions like breathing, heart rate and the "fight or flight" mechanism.

Read more about it here.

Kadath · 08-26-2003, 06:20 AM

Also referred to as "thinking with the stem."

cliche · 08-26-2003, 08:36 AM

You have:
Reptilian Brain:
Instinct, fixed actions, emotion.
Formed from: amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus
Amygdala is mainly emotions, thalamus integrates your senses, hypothalamus deals with stress responses and hormones.

Palaeomammalian Brain:
Behavioural flexibility and learning/memory (basic). Found in lots of mammals. Combines with reptilian brain to form limbic system. Contains hippocampus (memory, esp spatial)

Neomammalian Brain:
Language and higher thought. Made of the right and left cortex

Hope that helps!

giblfiz · 08-29-2003, 01:55 PM

I couldn't have said it better than clishe...
but Ill flap my trap anyway.

The idea of it being a "reptilian" brain is because it is a structure that we share with reptiles. (actually its most of what the reptiles have) It's mostly concerned with the basics of keeping you running from day to day. That is dealing with low level input (i.e. pain), low level output (i.e. swallowing) and simple motivations (i.e. hunger) Stuff you just can't do without if you want to keep your meat sack running about.

08-26-2003, 06:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shokan Addict Location: Canada	Explain the term 'reptilian brain' to me I keep hearing it, and have no clue what it means. __________________ Legalize it.

08-26-2003, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kadath Muffled Location: Camazotz	Also referred to as "thinking with the stem." __________________ it's quiet in here

08-26-2003, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
cliche Rookie Location: Oxford, UK	You have: Reptilian Brain: Instinct, fixed actions, emotion. Formed from: amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus Amygdala is mainly emotions, thalamus integrates your senses, hypothalamus deals with stress responses and hormones. Palaeomammalian Brain: Behavioural flexibility and learning/memory (basic). Found in lots of mammals. Combines with reptilian brain to form limbic system. Contains hippocampus (memory, esp spatial) Neomammalian Brain: Language and higher thought. Made of the right and left cortex Hope that helps! __________________ I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. -- John Cage (1912 - 1992)

08-29-2003, 01:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
giblfiz is a shoggoth Location: LA	I couldn't have said it better than clishe... but Ill flap my trap anyway. The idea of it being a "reptilian" brain is because it is a structure that we share with reptiles. (actually its most of what the reptiles have) It's mostly concerned with the basics of keeping you running from day to day. That is dealing with low level input (i.e. pain), low level output (i.e. swallowing) and simple motivations (i.e. hunger) Stuff you just can't do without if you want to keep your meat sack running about. __________________ Use the star one and you'll be fighting off the old ones with your bare hands -A Shoggoth on the Roof

08-26-2003, 06:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
JadziaDax Loser Location: who the fuck cares?	It is the part of your brain that is at the base of your skull emerging from your spinal column. It is responsible for basic functions like breathing, heart rate and the "fight or flight" mechanism. Read more about it here.