Carlos StegmannReferencesCarnap, R. (1995) An Introduction to the Philosophy <strong>of</strong> Science.Edited by M. Gardner. Dover Publications Inc: MineolaNY. Originally published in 1966.Damasio, A. (1994) Descartes’ Error. G. P. Putnam’s Sons:New YorkDamasio, H. et al. (1994) <strong>The</strong> Return <strong>of</strong> Phineas Gage: Cluesabout the Brain from the Skull <strong>of</strong> a Famous Patient. Science264: 1102–1105.Harris, J. R. (1998) <strong>The</strong> Nurture Assumption. <strong>The</strong> Free Press:New York.Hayek, F. A. v. (1982) Law, Legislation and Liberty. Completeedition. Routledge & Kegan Paul: London. First editions:(1973) Vol. 1, “Rules and Order”. Routledge & Kegan Paul:London. (1976) Vol. 2, “<strong>The</strong> Mirage <strong>of</strong> Social Justice”, University<strong>of</strong> Chicago Press: Chicago. (1979) Vol. 3, “<strong>The</strong> PoliticalOrder <strong>of</strong> a Free People”. <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> Economic Affairs:London.Hayek, F. A. v. (1988) <strong>The</strong> Fatal Conceit—<strong>The</strong> Errors <strong>of</strong> Socialism.Routledge: London.Heschl, A. (1998) Das Intelligente Genom. Über die Entstehungdes menschlichen Geistes durch Mutation und Selektion,Springer-Verlag: Berlin, Heidelberg.Kant, I. (1904) Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten. Basedon the 2d. Edition, revised by Kant, with corrections andgrammatical rectifications by various authors. Verlag PhilippReclam Jr.: Leipzig. Originally appeared in 1786.<strong>Lorenz</strong>, K. (1973) Die Rückseite des Spiegels. DeutscherTaschenbuch Verlag: München.<strong>Lorenz</strong>, K. (1978) Vergleichende Verhaltensforschung.Springer-Verlag: Wien, New York.Pinker, S. (1994) <strong>The</strong> Language Instinct. Harper Collins: NewYork.Riedl, R. (1988) Biologie der Erkenntnis. Die StammesgeschichtlichenGrundlagen der Vernunft. DeutscherTaschenbuch Verlag: München. Originally appeared in1979.Evolution and Cognition ❘ 24 ❘ 2001, Vol. 7, No. 1
Russell Gardner, Jr.Affective Neuroscience,Psychiatry, and SociophysiologyAffectiveNeuroscienceMy reaction to PANKSEPPand PANKSEPP (2000)reflects the viewpoint <strong>of</strong> aU.S. psychiatric educator,clinician and researcherwho finds their approachhighly compatible with aneeded nascent basic scienceframework <strong>of</strong> thepsychiatric medical specialty,as well as its alliedhuman clinical servicesdisciplines. This sociophysiologicalframeworkfor understanding thepathogenesis <strong>of</strong> psychiatricillness (GARDNER 1996,1997) depends in part onthe concept <strong>of</strong> basic plansfor communicationalbehavior with conspecifics(members <strong>of</strong> the samespecies) originating inancient brain structureshundreds <strong>of</strong> millions <strong>of</strong>years ago. <strong>The</strong> PANKSEPPs document that evolutionarypsychologists (EP) contrastingly focus onrecently evolved modular cognition as the centralbrain advance, a focus encouraged in part by theimpressive cortical specializations seen by SPERRYand GAZZANIGA in people with operatively caused‘split-brains’. No-one denies that the human cerebralcortex is a most impressive organ, but the PANK-SEPPs point out that important human experiences—emotions—reflectthe dominating actions<strong>of</strong> subcortical structures, including those originatingin deep time, not just recently expanded adaptationsless than a few hundred-thousand years old.Abstract<strong>The</strong> PANKSEPPs laudably emphasize that evolutionarypsychology (EP) has not appreciated the ancient contributionsto the human brain; rather EP conflatessubcortical emotional factors with cognitions amplifiedin recent human evolution. Remarkably, despiteovervaluing the mushroomed cortex, EP pays little attentionto communicative and social facets <strong>of</strong> humandevelopment although new work shows that a significantproportion <strong>of</strong> the variance in primate brain sizestems from its correlation with species-group size.Jaak PANKSEPP’s earlier work on emotional communicationsassists the development <strong>of</strong> a basic science <strong>of</strong>psychiatry, a framework now sadly lacking. Instead,market forces in the absence <strong>of</strong> a comprehensive scientificrationale have led to what could be summarizedas ‘relationshipless’ values that are contrary tothe ally-formation particularly facilitated by humanbrains. In concert with PANKSEPPs’ argument, psychiatryrequires a basic science framework titled sociophysiologyentailing comparisons (similarities) aswell as contrasts <strong>of</strong> humans to other animals.Key wordsEmotion, communication, sociophysiology, psychiatry.Evolution and Cognition ❘ 25 ❘ 2001, Vol. 7, No. 1Emotional expressionsreflect communicationalbasic plans so that thePANKSEPP focus complementsthe sociophysiologicalframework.<strong>The</strong>y highlight theproblems by suggestingproblems in EP thinkingare “sins”. Making definitivecomments but usingmildly humorous imageryholds no surprise becauseJaak PANKSEPP’smost recent striking researchfindings show playand laughter to be muchmore primitive mammaliancommunicationsthan heret<strong>of</strong>ore suspected.With BURGDORF,he used the infant tickleresponse in the rat pup asthe means <strong>of</strong> exploringthis communicative interactionwell known tohumans (PANKSEPP/BURG-DORF 2000). <strong>The</strong>y collecteddata and drew conclusions with great care,paying attention to all the alternative hypothesesthat they, colleagues and critics could generate. Thiscautious methodology lends additional power to theother arguments Jaak PANKSEPP makes.Elsewhere he emphasized the subcortical location<strong>of</strong> neural systems that mediate seven emotion-systems;he investigated, consolidated and documentedthese in his extraordinary book, AffectiveNeuroscience (PANKSEPP 1998). Armed with originalresearch done mostly with rat subjects, he has persuasivelyargued for the existence <strong>of</strong> emotions innon-human animals and also for the relevance <strong>of</strong>
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