Which physiological systems might serve as the basic components of a substrate that guides a continuous flow of behavioral functions without conscious involvement? The required physiological components must be genetically determined, innately given and capable of guiding movement sequences in the physical core of experience without conscious mediation. I propose the following components: sensory and visceral inputs that guide our actions within the movement space defined by peripheral vestibular guidance and mirroring which guides us in relationship to the others we encounter.
Sensory and visceral inputs to the brain take place in a continuous flow whether or not we are consciously aware of them; they continue their flow even during sleep. When we are awake, sensory inputs guide every move we make to ensure their efficiency and define their accuracy. Visceral processes guide us toward lines of action that enable us to meet our needs. Every movement we initiate is grounded in time and space by signals to the brain from the semicircular canals of the peripheral vestibular system in the inner ear. These three systems, sensory, visceral and vestibular, function without conscious awareness; they are pre-empirical in the sense that they guide our actions prior to the conscious differentiation of entities and events.
We hone the physical skills we develop in the first tier of consciousness with repetition and practice as we gain mastery over what we are doing. The structures we develop to guide our movement sequences within the first tier establish a physical core of experience. Most animal species function solely or largely at the first tier of consciousness in accordance with this physiological paradigm. They develop a physical core of experience that guides even their most complex activities. Humans would be no different from other animal species were it not for the last component of pre-empirical experience, mirroring.
Mirroring involves the automatic responses we initiate that reflect or mirror the actions of those around us. Humans are social animals who form communities and groups wherever they reside. The mirroring responses we have to others around us take place without conscious awareness or mediation. This is so strongly the case that we have only recently become consciously aware of this phenomenon. Mirroring responses elicit associated visceral processes that provide a form of personal resonance thought to be essential for mother-infant bonding. It is a likely basis for all of the powerful interpersonal relationships we establish with others.
Mirroring enables us to respond to specific features within an otherwise undifferentiated flow of encounters with the realities that surround us by imbuing them with personal significance. This, I suggest, provides the critical advantage that humans have over other species in the development of conscious awareness. Personal significance is essential for differentiating among the realities we encounter as a first step toward identifying entities and events at the verbal-symbolic tier of consciousness.
The physiological paradigm I have proposed for the pre-empirical, physical core of experience provides a structure for exploring the first tier of consciousness. I will be reviewing the implications of this paradigm for understanding brain-behavior relationships in future blog entries. I believe that this will, once again demonstrate the advantage of using a structural paradigm rather than psychological constructs as a basis for investigating brain functioning.
Comments (0)