How The Brain Works: A Constructionist Approach to Mind-Brain Correspondence (Part 5) 

  October 17, 2024

Psychological Construction and Emotion 

The constructionist approach to understanding the brain is part of a broader field called psychological construction, which posits that mental states, including emotions, are not innate and biologically fixed but are instead constructed by the brain through the dynamic interaction of multiple systems. Psychological construction theory suggests that various basic psychological processes, such as attention, memory, and interoception, interact to create complex mental experiences. This broader view helps to understand not only emotions but also other mental phenomena, such as thoughts and perceptions, as emergent properties of the brain's networked activity.

In Part 2 and Part 3 of this series, we discussed how the brain consists of multiple intrinsic networks—such as the default mode network, salience network, frontoparietal control network, and others—that work together in a dynamic and flexible manner. Psychological construction theory builds on this understanding by suggesting that emotions emerge from the integration of these networks with bodily signals and contextual information. Let’s now explore how these principles apply specifically to the construction of emotions.

How Emotions Are Constructed 

According to the constructionist theory of emotions, emotions are not biologically hardwired or universal across all humans. Instead, they are constructed by the brain through a dynamic process that integrates interoceptive signals, predictions, and context. This means that emotions are not automatic responses to specific stimuli, but rather the result of the brain's ongoing attempt to interpret and make sense of internal and external inputs.

1. Predictive Coding and the Role of Interoception

A key element of Barrett's theory is predictive coding. The brain is constantly attempting to predict what will happen next, using past experiences to inform these predictions. It does this not only for external events but also for internal bodily states (Barrett, 2017). This is where the interoceptive network, discussed in Part 4, plays a central role—it continuously monitors internal signals, such as heart rate, temperature, and respiration. When these signals change, the brain uses predictions to interpret these changes as potential emotional experiences.

For instance, if your heart rate increases, your brain might predict that you are anxious because it has learned from prior experiences that increased heart rate often accompanies anxiety. Alternatively, if you are exercising, the brain might interpret the same increased heart rate as a sign of physical exertion rather than an emotion. The context is key here—your brain uses contextual information to make sense of the interoceptive data.

2. Conceptualization

Barrett's theory also emphasizes conceptualization as a fundamental process in constructing emotions. Conceptualization involves linking interoceptive changes with emotion concepts learned throughout your life. These concepts are shaped by your experiences, culture, and language. For example, the sensation of a fast-beating heart, combined with certain contextual cues (e.g., a dark alley at night), might be conceptualized as "fear." In contrast, the same bodily sensation during a joyful celebration might be conceptualized as "excitement." This ability to use emotion concepts helps the brain categorize and make sense of ambiguous internal signals.

Emotion concepts are derived from cultural learning and personal experience, meaning that emotions are not universal—different cultures may construct different emotional experiences from similar bodily signals. Thus, emotions are culturally shaped and context-dependent interpretations of internal physiological states.

3. The Role of Context

Context is an essential factor in the construction of emotions. The brain uses context (e.g., environmental cues) to interpret and label emotional experiences. The brain’s predictive model takes into account what is happening around you, your goals, the people you’re with, and the social situation, to generate the most plausible emotional experience in that moment.

For instance, the interoceptive signal of a fluttering stomach could be interpreted as nervousness before a job interview, or as excitement when about to go on a thrilling ride at an amusement park. The salience network is crucial in this process, as it helps determine which signals are most relevant at any given moment, guiding the brain in forming a coherent emotional response.

4. Integration of Networks

The constructionist approach emphasizes that emotions are not localized in a single area of the brain. Instead, they emerge from the integration of multiple brain networks working together. The salience network plays a critical role by filtering the most relevant interoceptive and sensory inputs, while the default mode network helps integrate these signals with past experiences and self-referential information. Meanwhile, the frontoparietal network aids in regulating emotions, especially when the context calls for emotional control or reinterpretation.

This integrated activity allows for the flexible construction of a wide range of emotional experiences that are unique to each individual. Emotions are not reactive processes, but rather proactive constructions, based on the brain’s attempts to minimize prediction error and make sense of both the body and the environment.

Summary 

In the constructionist view, emotions are not fixed biological responses but are actively constructed by the brain using predictions, interoception, context, and conceptual knowledge. The brain uses predictive coding to interpret changes in bodily states, relying on past experiences and contextual cues to generate emotional experiences. The construction of emotions involves the interplay of various intrinsic brain networks, including the salience network, default mode network, and frontoparietal control network, which work together to form an individualized emotional response. This perspective highlights the complexity of emotions and the flexibility of the human brain in interpreting and responding to the world.

- Ramon D.
Founder, BrainFrst Inc.

References
Barrett, L. F. (2017). How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Barrett, L. F., & Simmons, W. K. (2015). Interoceptive predictions in the brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(7), 419-429.
Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel—now? The anterior insula and human awareness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(1), 59-70.