NOTE: Since drafting these few Topic on biology, I have commenced reading of modern neuroscience in relation to affects and behaviors. This reading is broadly supportive and highly suggestive. Except for correcting gross errors, I do not intend to incorporate what I am now learning until it is properly digested. As always, I am seeking input from specialists.
Resonance is the psychosocial similarity between two taxonomic elements that flows from a similarity in their formulae. The more similar the formulae, the greater the resonance to the point at which people may argue that the two entities are actually the "same thing". Note that the causes of resonance are poorly understood.
There is resonance between PH-L• phenomena based on similarities that differ from those initially identified. These similarities can be traced to:
a) the kernel phenomenon as previously described; and
b) a particular pressure generated by the instinct-based contribution.
Pressure may be perceived as a mild wish or an intense demand, but when the function is taken seriously, the pressure is strong. (Probably pressure is equivalent to drive. Terminology here has not been finalized.)
It is conjectured that the psychosocial pressures are innate with instinctual-neuro-physiological origins (as explained here). Only some of these have been established at this point in time.
The summary of proposed pressures and their assumed biological origins are shown here. Details and explanations are provided in the next topic.
Levels in PHs |
Root Level Requirement | Psychosocial Pressure |
Advanced Biological Instinct | |
---|---|---|---|---|
L7s | Willingness-RL7 | Selflessness | for Transcendence | |
L6s | Purpose-RL6 | Autonomy | for Importance/Goodness | |
L5s | Communication-RL5 | Understanding | for Language | |
L4s | Experience-RL4 | Well-being | for Endeavour |
|
L3s | Change-RL3 | Acceptability | for Identity/Safety | |
L2s | Inquiry-RL2 | Certainty | for Knowledge | |
L1s | Action-RL1 | Performance | for Movement |
We tend to think globally of an «instinct for survival» and superficially that appears to be the case. The psychosocial equivalent is an «instinct for coping». However, it is generally accepted that survival/coping actually depends on the activation of numerous discrete instincts (as defined earlier) i.e. neuro-mental/behavioral systems.
The dysfunction of any one of our fundamental instincts/systems threatens survival/coping. My proposition is that it may be worth distinguishing two forms of biological instinct in the higher animals: «primitive» and «advanced».
The nature of evolution suggests that the advanced instincts must have their root in primitive affective neural circuits located in the mid-brain and other reptilian structures like the basal ganglia &c.
In practice, all advanced instincts are necessary to manage the primitive instincts. As examples:
• Sexuality is an instinct, but unsafe sex is undesirable.
• Aggression is an instinct, but mindless violence is harmful.
• Herding is an instinct, but lemming-like catastrophes are unnecessary.
As a result, any primitive instinct, when expressed as a human endeavour, requires management by the advanced instincts.
Details for sexual gratification
Whereas with primitive drives, satiation is possible. You can have enough shelter, enough food, enough water, enough sex. However, with advanced drives, the psychosocial pressure seems more insistent and inexorable. It is rare to feel:
RL7 - transcendent enough
RL6 - important enough, things are good enough
RL5 - understood enough
RL4 - loved enough, enough pleasure.
RL3 - safe enough, appreciated enough
RL2 - certain enough, confident enough
RL1 - performed well enough, enough has been done.
Initially posted: 2-Aug-2013. Amended 15-Jun-2014.