Emotions

How Emotions Affect Learning, Behaviors, and Relationships. 

We need all of our emotions for thinking, problem solving, and focused attention. We are
neurobiologically wired, and to learn anything, our minds must be focused and our emotions need to
"feel" in balance. Emotional regulation is necessary so that we can remember, retrieve, transfer, and
connect all new information to what we already know. When a continuous stream of negative
emotions hijacks our frontal lobes, our brain's architecture changes, leaving us in a heightened
stress-response state where fear, anger, anxiety, frustration, and sadness take over our thinking, logical brains.
The 2015 film Inside Out is an exceptional and accurate portrayal of our five core emotions. These
primary emotions are joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust. This film depicts how we use these
emotions when difficult and happy experiences arise, and how we need the negative emotions just as
much as the positive. After reviewing the science behind Inside​ ​ Out, I developed research-based
educational neuroscience strategies, questions, and assessment ideas aligning with a few scenes from
the film. In this post, we'll explore four categories representing the conceptual and developing brains
of all children and adolescents. There is no recipe for successful implementation of these strategies,
and each will be based on the grade level, teacher preparation time, class time, and mostly the
enthusiasm that we bring when introducing these concepts to our students.

Neuroplasticity/Feelings
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to rewire, strengthening pathways between neurons that are
exercised and used while weakening connections between cellular pathways that are not used or
retrieved. Rewiring our brain circuits is experience dependent -- we can change the synapses or
connections that are firing by changing a perception or behavior. Neuroplasticity includes reframing
or reappraising an experience, event, or relationship so that we observe and experience a different
outcome. What we perceive and expect is what we get! The brain sees and responds to perception, not reality. Negative lingering brain states can become neural traits that are hardwired into our circuitry.
Neuroplasticity is the best news from neuroscience in recent years.
The processes that support emotional intelligence are addressed in the growing field of Interpersonal
Neurobiology (IPNB). The theory behind IPNB provides a picture of human mental development and
the potential for transformation that exists in changing thinking and processing of emotions, thoughts
and behaviors (Siegel, 2001, 2006, 2007). The concept of emotional intelligence is interrelated with
IPNB and the development of mindful awareness as a strategy for achieving healthy integration of
emotional, psychological, physiological, and cognitive functioning (Davis & Hayes, 2011; Siegel,
2001, 2007).
In the film Inside Out, we are introduced to core memories. All of us are constantly creating
memories, but what makes them core or significant are the emotions that we attach to these past
events, experiences, and relationships. Emotions drive our attention and perception. We form positive
and negative core memories because of the emotional intensity that we've attached to the event or
experience.