Circle of Care

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Questions and Answers

Which region of the brain is activated when experiencing awe?

Right hippocampus

Right amygdala

Left orbitofrontal cortex (correct)

Left temporoparietal junction

What effect does collective movement have on individual feelings according to the empirical findings?

It causes individuals to feel more isolated.

It leads to a shared emotional experience. (correct)

It increases egocentric views.

It creates a competitive atmosphere.

What is NOT a proposed benefit of experiencing awe?

Enhanced virtuous behaviors

Increased life satisfaction

Greater competitiveness (correct)

Reduction of PTSD symptoms

According to Durkheim's hypothesis, what is crucial for achieving a feeling of shared awareness?

Ritualized movement in unison Signup and view all the answers

What have studies shown about physical attractiveness and happiness?

Beautiful individuals have more optimistic life evaluations. Signup and view all the answers

In the study of Capuchin monkeys, what behavior was observed concerning their reaction to fairness?

They showed a passion for fairness and rejected unequal play. Signup and view all the answers

What transformation occurs in consciousness when individuals move in unison?

A shift to a shared perspective Signup and view all the answers

What correlation exists between economic inequality and social outcomes?

Decreased economic mobility Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of egalitarianism in small hunter-gatherer groups as noted in the findings?

Promoting collaboration and equal distribution Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as the variable being tested and measured in an experiment?

Dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary ethical principle emerged from Peter Singer's Circle of Care?

Altruism Signup and view all the answers

How does evolution promote empathy according to the discussion of the Circle of Care?

By equipping humans with a sense of empathy Signup and view all the answers

What effect does infusing oxytocin into the midbrain PAG have on rat dams?

Decreases self-focused vigilance behavior Signup and view all the answers

What role does activation of the midbrain PAG play beyond caregiving?

Descending pain control Signup and view all the answers

Which brain regions were reported alongside PAG activation when individuals viewed their own infants?

Orbital frontal cortex and thalamus Signup and view all the answers

During what type of situation has PAG activation NOT been explicitly reported?

Feeling direct physical pain Signup and view all the answers

What suggests a relationship between empathetic pupillary contagion and midbrain PAG activation?

Mirroring the pupil size of sad faces Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Circle of Care in terms of human rights?

It promotes the extension of individual rights to others Signup and view all the answers

What technique was used to study the neural activation related to compassion?

Neural imaging while observing sad faces Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function associated with PAG activation?

Descendence of emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

What central role does the PAG play in human behavior besides pain regulation?

Empathy and caregiving motivation Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is NOT commonly observed in chimpanzee reconciliation?

Aggressive biting Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an apology as described?

To restore balance to a relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the seven psychological needs met by apologies?

Expression of anger Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vastness' refer to in the context of the experience of awe?

Anything perceived as larger than the self Signup and view all the answers

How does awe evolve according to the evolutionary theory presented?

To support collective social action Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological response is uniquely associated with feelings of awe?

Piloerection Signup and view all the answers

What role does modesty play in the experience of awe?

Shifting focus to a larger perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Valuable Relationship' Hypothesis concerning animal reconciliation?

Reconciliation occurs more frequently with valuable partners Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional experience often requires 'accommodation' as described in the context of awe?

Recognition of limitations of the self Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most common cause of feelings of awe among people worldwide?

Acts of moral courage Signup and view all the answers

Which term, introduced by Emile Durkheim, refers to the collective emotional experiences that create a sense of unity among people?

Collective effervescence Signup and view all the answers

How does the default mode network (DMN) respond during mystical experiences according to empirical findings?

It is deactivated Signup and view all the answers

What does the biophilia hypothesis suggest about humans and nature?

Nurturing elements of nature bolster human resilience and empathy Signup and view all the answers

In the Natyashastra, what specific body movements are recommended to express awe?

Widened eyes and open arms Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is a key component of the default mode network involved in self-referential processing?

Medial prefrontal cortex Signup and view all the answers

What experience is characterized by the merging of individuality into a larger group identity, particularly during events of shared excitement?

Collective effervescence Signup and view all the answers

What psychological state is primarily linked to the deactivation of the default mode network in research studies involving psychedelics?

Ego death Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the physiological benefits of touch among primates, as demonstrated in their social behaviors?

Strengthening social bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the experience described as biophilia?

Restoration through nature's calming elements Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developed by philosopher Peter Singer, emphasizing empathy as an ethical principle.
Humans naturally exhibit a narrow sense of empathy primarily towards in-groups, including family and friends.
Over time, the circle of empathy has expanded, promoting equality and individual rights.
Central to this concept is "jen," a deep intuition tied to compassion.
Activation of the vagus nerve is linked to feelings of compassion.

Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)

Infusion of oxytocin in the PAG reduces self-focused vigilance, enhancing caregiving abilities in rats under threat.
PAG plays a role in pain control, releasing endogenous opioids to inhibit ascending pain signals.
Activation is also observed in non-painful contexts, such as mothers viewing their infants' emotional behaviors.
Studies show PAG involvement when participants generate unconditional love or compassion for others.
Empathetic pupil size mirroring in response to sad faces correlates with PAG activation, suggesting its role in automatic emotional responses.

Reconciliation

Seen in chimpanzees through behaviors like bowing, grooming, and vocalizations aimed at repairing relationships post-aggression.
The “Valuable Relationship” Hypothesis states that reconciliation is crucial for maintaining important social bonds.

Apology

Defined as a key step in mending relationships, facilitating forgiveness and restoring balance.
Four components are essential: acknowledgment of the offense, explanation, expressions of remorse, and reparation.
Apologies satisfy psychological needs such as restoring dignity and ensuring safety from future offenses.

Awe

Experiences of awe involve feelings of vastness that transcend the self, often triggered by natural or social phenomena.
Awe can evoke both fear and comfort and often leads to profound shifts in perspective regarding one's place in the world.
Physiological responses related to awe include goosebumps and warmth in the chest, indicating activation of the vagus nerve.
Awe enhances feelings of interconnection and diminishes self-interest.

Durkheim’s Collective Effervescence Hypothesis

Proposed that unison in movement fosters a heightened emotional experience, creating a shared collective consciousness.
Movement in sync leads to emotional contagion where individuals' feelings align with one another.
Shifts from egocentric viewpoints to shared attention are facilitated through synchronized social behaviors.

Beauty

Physical attractiveness does not guarantee increased happiness; self-perception of attractiveness can influence life satisfaction.
Studies suggest that beauty is associated with increased social connections and workplace advantages, but does not directly impact happiness levels.

Economic Inequality

Capuchin monkeys exhibit fairness preferences, with 40% rejecting unequal conditions in studies.
Inequality correlates with social issues, including violence and reduced trust; chronic injustice can lead to anger and social change.

Eight Wonders of Life

Awe often stems from moral beauty observed in others' kindness and courage.
Collective effervescence and nature also inspire awe, along with music and visual design.
Spiritual experiences and epiphanies concerning life and death elicit profound feelings of awe.

Default Mode Network (DMN)

Involved in self-referential thoughts and processing; often activated during rest or mind wandering.
Mystical awe experiences deactivate the DMN, leading to shifts in self-awareness and joy.

Biophilia

The innate love of life in nature is posited to foster emotional and cognitive resilience.
Attunement to nature contributes to survival and the passing on of traits favorable for resilience.

Natyashastra

Ancient text detailing how dance expresses various emotions, including awe through specific physical movements and gestures.

Touch

Recognized for its crucial role in interpersonal connections and emotional communication.

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Description

Explore Peter Singer's concept of the Circle of Care, where empathy and altruism are key ethical principles influenced by evolution. This quiz delves into the expansion of our ethical considerations from narrow in-groups to a broader belief in equality and human rights. Test your understanding of these philosophical ideas.

Circle of Care - Peter Singer's Ethics