Brain and Behavior Institute, 2005
Session 15
Generalized Control Mechanisms: Mood, Emotion, Creativity, Self

Review:

perception a distributed process, involves testing and retesting, much unconscious with potential, useful "I-function" involvement - "reality" an hypothesis, supported by sharing of perspectives, a social construction

The story of the frog: "Intrinsic Variability"

Uses of intrinsic variability

• gambling
• interpersonal interaction, evolution
• exploration
• creativity
• without I-function

Generalized control mechanisms

• Mood, emotion a "good" thing, largely unconscious, signals to I-function?
• Lots of variation among humans
  • "Mental Health"
  • Depression
• Dreaming an "I-function" state? Allows exploration of worlds over and above those directly experienced?