The reptilian brain and the need for power always go hand in hand, they are personalities governed by the most primitive, aggressive and empathetic emotions, in which only the pleasure of domination and concern for oneself is breathed. There is no self-control, in their minds, much less consideration for others.
It was Paul D. MacLean who, in 1952, proposed his evolutionary theory of the triumphant brain to explain the emotional processes and their changes throughout our evolution as a species. According to the famous psychiatrist and neuroscientist, human beings continue to retain these three basic concepts. Current structures: a reptile brain, limbic system and a newer and more complex brain responsible for superior functions, neocortex.
“The secret of wisdom, power, and knowledge is humility. -Ernest Hemingway-
While it is true that neurologists agree with this vision, which alludes to the biological evolution of our brain, it is nevertheless true that they are skeptical of the idea of a “fragmented” and without harmony. They believe that defending the latter concept would amount to defending the radical and almost obsessive distinction between the right and left hemispheres, so fashionable in recent years.
You have to see the human brain as a whole or we will be wrong, it is not a puzzle, but an organ with certain specialized areas that connect to each other to perform certain functions together, such as an effective and always perfect equipment. But sometimes it’s true, you can focus on activating a game, especially when it comes to emotions.
People who guide their behavior according to their instincts, setting aside this emotional control and control of the limbic system and the exercise of neocortex, will act under the concept of a very special and exclusive part of the brain: the reptile brain.
We have already said that there is a very particular type of personality that is guided exclusively by the reptilian brain: those who cling to territoriality, control, domination or even aggression. Does this mean that the rest of the people have that deep , intimate and atavistic area of the brain?
Not at all, and well known by many neuromarketing experts, this reptile brain, this brown old man, also controls many of our basic functions, our instincts, in fact, tasks like breathing or being hungry and thirsty are under your control. control, as are the most primitive emotions such as desire, sex, power or even violence as a means of survival.
The advertising industry is well aware that humans are almost always governed by the reptile brain when it comes to being enchanted by a particular product. Most of the time, when we withdraw our bank card, we try to satisfy our desires, our instincts, our needs and our pleasures.
The smoker, for example, will continue to buy cigarettes even if they know they can die, and will do so simply because it needs to be more addictive. In these cases, the neocortex, the most logical brain, has no vote or vote. So much so that neuromarketing specialists know that their decision-making power in these cases does not exceed 20%.
Comparing a depratic and dominant person to the personality of a 3-year-old is sometimes quite correct, and it is for a very simple reason: for his lack of control in emotional management David McClelland, a well-known motivational psychologist best known for His theory of needs, explained that humans are characterized primarily by three goals : membership, conquest and power.
“The exercise of power corrupts, submission to power deteriorates. -Mijael Bakunin-
In general, each of us is distinguished by a need, there will be those who value relationships the most, those who aspire to achieve certain achievements, and those who have only one obsession: exercising power in the field possible. special happens in curiosity: the greater the need for power, the less emotional control is important; therefore, the influence of the reptile brain is greater.
These would be the basic characteristics of a profile associated with this type of personality.
In conclusion, although many of us know someone with this profile, it should be noted that the reptile brain certainly guides many of our reactions and choices, however, we must never allow it to take control of each of our behaviors.
The “triumphant brain” theory serves us to understand the world of our emotions, and above all, to be aware of this latter need to invest time and effort to achieve proper emotional development. Just as we exercise our bodies and try to cultivate our intellect every day, let us be more adept at dealing with these impulses, those primitive emotions that, although hard to believe, govern much of our lives.
Main image courtesy of Nicoletta Ceccoli.