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