Articles

Logic Over Emotion - Fire in the belly & Ice in the mind

Understanding how something works, is often the first step towards using it more effectively.  That said, the brain is an extremely complex system, with billions of neurons inter-linking to allow us to function effectively.  A theory proposed back in the 1950’s however, gives us a very simple explanation of how the mind actually functions, and therefore how we can use it more effectively…   

Paul Maclean¹ proposed the notion of the “Triune Brain” (literally meaning “three brains in one”).  This theory suggests that the brain can be thought of as three different brains, with each of these brains developing separately as we evolved from reptiles, to mammals, to humans. 

Whilst this theory is a massive simplification of the anatomy of the brain, it is an informative perspective regarding how the brain functions.  This three-layered generalisation about brain functioning helps us to grasp the overall functioning of the brain areas better than any scheme yet devised².  In the Triune Brain theory, Maclean proposed the three key structures as being:

The R-Complex = the reptillian brain is responsible for our “fight, flight or freeze” response when we are stressed or threatened.  This part of the brain is concerned mainly with survival and resides at the centre of the brain at the top of the spinal column, including the brain stem;     The Limbic system = this is the primary centre of emotion and evolved as reptiles evolved into mammals.  This surrounds the R-Complex and houses the amygdala (a small, almond sized part of the brain) & hippocampus.  This part of the brain comes into play at times of high emotion;   Neocortex =  this accounts for approximately 80% of the human brain and is where logic and rational thought resides - this evolved as human's evolved.  The neocortex is the outer layer of the brain and was the final piece to evolve.  It makes language, speech and writing possible and is where all “higher functioning” takes place.

 

These parts of the brain evolved over millions of years and all interact and work together effectively during normal day-to-day activities.  When we are under no pressure, information passes through the various parts of the brain, integrating logical and rational process with the “lower level” emotional responses.  It is only when we perceive a “threat” that problems can arise.

At times of stress, the amygdala can actually hijack the brain³.   This “amygdala hijack” leads to the emotional part of the brain “bypassing” the logical neo-cortex.  When this occurs, we typically display the “fight / flight / freeze” response.  At this moment, evolution is trying to save us (as the amygdala bypassing the neocortex saves time) from a threat to our lives and so reacts quickly and typically unconsciously.  

This immediate reaction is fine, when our lives are actually threatened (e.g. if we were hunter gatherers trying to search for food and we inadvertently approached a poisonous snake).  But often in sport or business, the amygdala will hijack the logical part of the brain when we perceive a modern day threat - such as the fear of failing in front of others, or the fear of letting parents down, the fear of a senior manager, or when we feel the pressure to qualify for a major tournament.  A term sometimes used to describe this sudden shift in control from the "higher" logical part of the brain, to the "lower" emotional part of the brain is "downshifting".  To use a metaphor, it's almost like driving your car at 70mph in 5th gear, and then without warning putting it straight into first gear - the engine will scream and you might lose control.

Whilst the perceived threats are valid, they’re often not a risk to our lives, and so the “amygdala hijack” or "downshifting" can actually prevent performers from executing their logical and well planned strategies. In order to deal with pressure effectively, we therefore sometimes need to overcome our brain’s natural (and at times very useful) tendency to “emotionally react”.  Once we can do this, we can get back into control and “logically act”.   

There are various skills that performers need to develop in order to overcome the brain’s evolutionary history and consistently deliver the level of performance required.  The following are some of the key skills:

• Recognise the “emotional brain” response early.  Understand that this "downshift" is completely natural and is your brain actually trying to help you;
• Accurately assess the level of risk – particularly the risk to your life.  Is the possibility of missing a putt on the 18^th green and losing the tournament really a threat to your life?  Is the prospect of delivering the big presentation to senior management really a life threatening moment?  Actually ask yourself the question and establish if your “emotional brain’s” response is useful at that moment!
• If the threat is not life threatening (e.g. it’s more the threat of evaluation by others, or the threat of financial implications if you don’t perform, or it’s the threat of looking foolish)  give yourself a moment to regain control of your logical mind – at this point, make sure you BREATHE SLOWLY – THINK SLOWLY – ACT SLOWLY;
• Ask yourself the following questions: "What is the worst thing that can happen here?" (check that you can handle this worst case outcome, it doesn't mean you need to accept it but you must establish that you will survive it); "What is the best possible thing that can happen here?";  "What outcome is likely (typically somewhere between these extremes)?" - we ask these questions as people will often think in "absolutes" when under pressure;  
• Finally, ask yourself, "Am I ready to take this opportunity?"
• Recall the strategy that you planned before the competition and execute the processes that you identified*.

 

*    NB: This assumes that prior to the performance you established a well planned strategy and routine, and had clearly set your process goals.  If not, you should do this well before the performance when you are in a calm, logical and rational mindset.

 

The stress response, and the “emotional hijack” can be very useful, but we need to be able to control it at critical moments.  Overall, we’re trying to achieve the balance of “Fire in the Belly AND Ice in the Mind”.

Notes:

1.       MacLean, Paul D. (1990). The triune brain in evolution: role in paleocerebral functions. New York: Plenum Press.

2.       Panksepp, J. (1998).  Affective Neuroscience – The foundations of human and animal emotions.  Oxford University Press.

3.   Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.  Bantam Press.