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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

143184

Anticipating sensitizes the body

Anton Lethin

pp. 279-300

Abstract

With emotional motivation the organism prepares the body to obtain a goal. There is an anticipatory sensitization of the sensory systems in the body and the brain. Presynaptic facilitation of the sensory afference in the spinal cord is probably involved. In a second stage the higher centers develop an action image/plan to realize the goal, modifying the initial preparations in the body. The subject experiences the changes in the body as a feeling. Three empirical studies supporting this description are summarized. This description of how feelings develop from emotion circuits is discussed from a phenomenological viewpoint.

Publication details

Published in:

(2008) Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 7 (2).

Pages: 279-300

DOI: 10.1007/s11097-007-9054-2

Full citation:

Lethin Anton (2008) „Anticipating sensitizes the body“. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 7 (2), 279–300.