Have you ever wondered what is your brain?
Luckily if you have wonder that then at least one thing is sure; you have a brain!
But practically what is your brain?
Which part of the brain is the brain? The cortex or the sulcus or even the connections!
It’s a complicated issue for a simple brain!
Then again have you heard of Paul MacLean?
At least you have this much brain to understand that whether you know or not I am going to tell you about him!
At least most important thing about Paul is that he actually thought that the brain is divided into 3 parts! Actually he thought the brain is composed of three different evolutionary regions!
Of course not many accept this theory now but still it is an important part in understanding the development of the brain and human intelligence as such!
Paul MacLean’s Triune Brain theory proposes that the human brain evolved in three distinct stages—reptilian (survival), paleomammalian (emotions), and neomammalian (rational thought)—layered over each other!
While influential for understanding basic behavior, this 1960s model is considered an oversimplification by modern neuroscience, which views brain functions as more integrated and interdependent.
This basically means that while Paul’s theory states that first the older brain developed and then the new brain developed over it and then the latest brain developed over the older brain; the modern theory is that the brain development is interdependent and layered over each other and not in separate specific layers!
The key components of the model as suggested by Paul included three definite and separate sections.
The oldest part of the brain is the reptilian complex which includes the modern Basal Ganglia and this Controls autonomic functions, survival instincts, habits, and physical safety.
Then you have the Paleomammalian Complex or the Limbic System which Manages emotions, motivation, fear, and memory.
Finally you have the Neomammalian Complex or the Neocortex which is Responsible for higher-order thinking, language, planning, and abstract reasoning.
Now you may not have people agreeing with the layer theory of brain it’s still fact that there are regions which are primarily old while there are regions which are primarily new!
So average human brain does have regions which are old and this leads to something called the tricky brain conflict!
Because the new brain can imagine scenarios, it can stimulate the old brain’s fear responses even when no real danger exists. For example, imagining a future failure can trigger intense anxiety, creating a cycle of rumination.
The old brain acts quickly to protect us (e.g., jumping back from a car), while the new brain processes the context. However, these systems can get into a “tussle,” leading to distress, such as when anxiety-driven thoughts (new) trigger emotional reactions (old)
This interplay of the old and the new is of course to protect you! Sometimes though protection gets inadequate and you get hurt!
There is of course nothing new about that! I am sure your new brain would have got that pun! While your old brain would have wanted to kick and run away from that joke!
If you are scratching your head then it’s a different kind of luck if you have a head like Saurabh Shukla!
Now stop scratching and give rest to both your old and new brain!
Subh ratri!
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