The social significance of the interaction of neural levels in man.

Abstract

The problem of interaction and shifting dominance of cortex and lower centers has important implications for social adjustment and control. Cerebral action is closely correlated with rational behavior, and thalamic action with biased emotional behavior. A review of extirpation studies on animals and clinical studies on intact humans shows a phylogenetic relation of cortical and sub-cortical patterns. Drugs and harmful stimuli affect higher sensitive centers first. A dichotomy develops between the two in spite of the unifying function of the nervous system as a whole, so that perfected habits can operate subcortically, as in absent-minded acts. They need continuous correction from the cortex to function effectively, however. Motor learning is at a maximum when higher and lower patterns converge. Any adequate educational program should provide for a close integration of these levels, with emphasis on control by the higher centers, so as to build rational objective attitudes for the welfare of society.