The human anatomy of controlling others and being controlled involves various brain regions and functions

The human anatomy of controlling others and being controlled involves various brain regions and functions

Writ by Oregonleatherboy aka Jesse Lee 

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 The human anatomy of controlling others and being controlled involves various brain regions and functions. The ability to control others is associated with the prefrontal cortex, while being controlled is linked to the limbic system. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, planning, and social behavior, while the limbic system controls emotions, motivation, and memory.


  1. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in controlling others by regulating our behavior based on social norms and expectations. This region helps us to:

  •  understand the consequences of our actions 

  •  make decisions that are socially acceptable.

  •  It also enables us to plan and execute complex tasks that involve multiple steps.


  • On the other hand, being controlled is linked to the limbic system, which includes structures such as the:

  •  amygdala

  • amygdala plays a central role in:

  1.  fear 

  2.  anxiety responses


  • hippocampus

  • hippocampus is involved in:

  1.  memory formation 

  2.  retrieval


  •  hypothalamus

  • hypothalamus regulates

 basic physiological functions such as:

  1.  hunger

  2. thirst sleep



These regions are responsible for processing emotions, memories, and motivation. 


The interaction between these brain regions determines our ability to control others and be controlled by them. For example, when we feel threatened or fearful, our amygdala sends signals to our prefrontal cortex to initiate a fight-or-flight response. This response may involve aggressive behavior or avoidance of the threat.


In contrast, when we are in a state of relaxation or pleasure, our limbic system releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin that promote positive emotions and motivation. This can lead to behaviors such as cooperation or submission.

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Here are three authoritative sources that provide more information on this topic:


1. "The Neuroscience of Social Interaction: Decoding, Imitating, and Influencing the Actions of Others" by Marco Iacoboni (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748674/)



This article provides a comprehensive overview of the neural mechanisms involved in social interaction, including the role of the prefrontal cortex and limbic system.


2. "The Neural Basis of Social Influence and Attitude Change" by Emily Falk and Matthew Lieberman (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775056/)



This paper explores how social influence affects our attitudes and behaviors, and the neural mechanisms that underlie this process.


3. "The Amygdala: Neurobiological Aspects of Emotion, Memory, and Mental Dysfunction" by Joseph LeDoux (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/)



This article focuses on the role of the amygdala in emotional processing, memory formation, and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.