User:Psycho-insight/emotional learning

emotional learning

The "old" Limbic system with the Amygdala as emotional center within the human brain is coupled physiological with emotional learning. It does not learn as the Neocortex, which is the evolutionary part of the human brain. The Neocortex is the part, that handles concepts and abstracts in a cognitive way. Emotional learning cannot be done instantly. The only way this can be done is to experience it (Julio Olalla). For example when you work with a group of people who radiate suspicion, you as an individual will rapidly start showing suspicious feelings. When you work with a group of people who are very passionate you will soon also become very passionate if you can relate to the subject.

In order to learn emotional the right context has to be available in an overly manner. This emotion can be for example pleasure, enthusiasm, empathy, etc. In our society, education is solely geared towards teaching concepts and abstracts. This is not sufficient to deal with the current challenges that we face nowadays. For example we are facing huge collective issues. Our economical perspective is based on permanent growth. We need to learn that "more" is not per facto better. Often will "different" offer a better perspective. Learning incremental is no longer sufficient. Only learning additionally within the same paradigm will not solve current day issues. If we want to progress in the overall learning experience than we need a new paradigm. A change of conscience, a different starting point. This will mean more than only intellectual solutions. For this we will need a new set of emotions. Fear will not offer s solution. By overlooking the emotional side within learning the overall growth potential has been very limited. Grief, sorrow or disappointment are emotions we are typically suppressing. When you take a closer look at grief it will show as an important emotion. Grief is connected to giving meaning to life. Grief you will experience when you have lost something and it feels like a loss because you cared. The person, who will discard or suppress his grief, will deny that what is important to him. When you embrace grief, in time there will be room for happiness. When happiness is lacking, one will often seek for excitement. Excitement is short lived and will not make you happy on the long run.

Thus, emotional learning is ready for its rediscovery. --Psycho-insight (talk) 21:59, 28 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Julia Olalla, TvC December #4 2008
 * J.E. Le Doux.The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life, 1996, Simon & Schuster, 1998 Touchstone edition: ISBN 0-684-83659-9