SYMPOSIA

Abstracts of the Invited Speakers
OPENING CONFERENCE
The evolution of human brain functions: Implications for psychobiological targets for well-being
Claude Robert Cloninger
Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
E-mail: crcloninger44@gmail.com
The natural building blocks of human personality are described based on the evolution of human brain functions (Cloninger, 2009;
Cloninger, 2011). The phylogeny of human beings is traced from early vertebrates through mammals. The functional capacities that
emerge along this lineage of ancestors are described. Comparative neuroanatomy is reviewed to identify the brain structures and
networks that emerged coincident with the emergent brain functions.
Neocortical development in mammals proceeded in 5 major transitions from early mammals to early primates, monkeys and apes, early
humans, and modern Homo sapiens. These transitions provide the foundation for human self-awareness related to sexuality, materiality,
emotionality, intellectual communication, and spirituality respectively.
The evolution of functions in humans is compared to the psychobiological model of temperament and character previously described on
the basis of individual differences in learning and genetic variation in human beings. The psychobiological model of personality provides
a natural and thorough description of both the evolution and the development of personality in human beings.
These evolutionary findings are related to clinical approaches to assessment and treatment of children and adults. Identification of the
causal processes underlying well-being and ill-being is helpful in improving assessment and treatment in comparison to the frequent
drop-out relapse rates obtained when diagnosis and treatment are based on symptoms, rather than their causes. Monitoring symptoms
of illness and past lifestyle behavior has failed to promote change in well-being in a strong and consistent way in either individual care
or public health. A clinician’s effectiveness in treatment depends substantially on his or her attitude toward, and understanding of, the
patient as a person endowed with self-awareness and the will to direct his or her own future (Cloninger and Cloninger, 2011a).
The causes of well-being operate as components of a virtuous circle of reciprocally interactive processes (Cloninger and Cloninger, 2011a)
which evolved and develop in a stepwise manner. For example, emotions, cognitions, and actions have reciprocal interactions with one
another. The induction of a positive mood by humor or kindness leads to a broadening of attention to be more inclusive and less defensive
in thinking, which I have described as an outlook of unity (Cloninger, 2004; Cohn et al., 2009; Fredrickson, 2004; Fredrickson and Losada,
2005). In turn, an outlook of unity allows a person to cultivate greater self-acceptance, environmental mastery, and creativity, which in
turn lead to greater health and happiness, thereby completing the self-reinforcing cycle.
Positive emotional states can be induced by a variety of self-transcendent activities, such as acts of virtues, including cheerful humor,
generosity, and humility (Cloninger and Cloninger, 2011b). Virtues interact with functional practices of well-being, including working in
the service of others, letting go of fighting and worrying, and growing in awareness. In turn, virtues and self-regulatory functions interact
with the body to promote human plasticity. Human beings probably show greater plasticity, and hence variability, than other animal
species, which has allowed us to adapt to highly variable environmental conditions successfully.
Key words: Cognition, emotionality, human characteristics, thinking, personality, character, health, happiness, wellness, well-being
References:
1. Cloninger, C.R., 2004. Feeling Good: The Science of Well-Being. Oxford University Press, New York.
2. Cloninger, C.R., 2009. The evolution of human brain functions: the functional structure of human consciousness. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
43, 994-1006.
3. Cloninger, C.R., 2011. The Phylogenesis of Human Personality: Identifying the Precursors of Cooperation, Altruism, and Well-Being. In: Sussman, R.W. and Cloninger,
C.R. (Eds.), The Origins of Cooperation and Altruism. Springer, New York, pp. 63-110.
4. Cloninger, C.R., Cloninger, K.M., 2011a. Development of instruments and evaluative procedures on contributors to Illness and health. International Journal of
Person-centered Medicine 1, in press.
5. Cloninger, C.R., Cloninger, K.M., 2011b. Person-centered Therapeutics. International Journal of Person-centered Medicine 1, in press.
6. Cloninger, C.R., Zohar, A.H., 2011. Personality and the perception of health and happiness. J Affect Disord 128, 24-32.
7. Cloninger, C.R., Zohar, A.H., Cloninger, K.M., 2010. Promotion of well-being in person-centered mental health care. Focus 8, 165-179.
8. Cohn, M.A., Fredrickson, B.L., Brown, S.L., Mikels, J.A., Conway, A.M., 2009. Happiness unpacked: positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience. Emotion 9, 361-368.
9. Fredrickson, B.L., 2004. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 359, 1367-1378.
10. Fredrickson, B.L., Losada, M.F., 2005. Positive affect and the complex dynamics of human flourishing. Am Psychol 60, 678-686.
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S34
S34 Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol: 21, Supplement: 2, 2011 - www.psikofarmakoloji.org