EMOTIONS ARE CRITICAL 2

Emotions are Critical

 Identify and discuss the part(s) of the brain impacted by emotions.
The limbic system is a group of interconnected structures, found in the brain, specifically
in the temporal lobe. Its main function is to carries out emotive messages such as love and fear. It
comprises of a number of parts of the brain. The amygdala is the central region where emotional
and behavioral processing takes place. The amygdala has the shape of an almond, and it
functions to facilitate a variety of emotional responses. It assists in coordinating responses to the
external environment, specifically those that trigger emotive responses. It is a structure that is
crucial in the expression of emotions such as anger and fear. The hypothalamus also controls
emotional responses and is involved with specific responses. It regulates the temperature of the
body and the release of hormones. Further, within the limbic cortex, motivation, judgment, and
mood are activated within two regions, namely the parahippocampal gyrus and the cingulate
gyrus, which usually functions as a link between the hippocampus and the thalamus. It plays a
pivotal role in the retrieval of memories on emotionally charged events.
Different emotions are processed differently in various parts of the limbic system. Fear,
for instance, is an essential emotion that helps an individual response to threatening situations. In
frightening situations, the amygdala is stimulated, followed by the hypothalamus. This explains
why people whose amygdala is damaged do not always respond to situations that are dangerous.
The stimulation of the hypothalamus leads to an initiation of a flight or fight response. The
adrenal glands receive signals from the hypothalamus to produce hormones such as cortisol ad
adrenaline. When these hormones join, the bloodstream one may experience changes such as an
increased breathing rate, perspiration, heart rate, and blood sugar. Fear learning is also facilitated

EMOTIONS ARE CRITICAL 3
by the amygdala. Response to anger also takes place in a much similar way as the response to
fear. However, after the hypothalamus is stimulated by the amygdala, to send similar responses
to the adrenal glands. Other parts such as the prefrontal cortex, play a role in the regulation of a
person’s response to anger. The ventral tegmental region makes up the limbic system that is
involved with love and happiness. It affects how a person perceives pleasure. It is the area that
contains the dopamine pathway which is a neurotransmitter that deals with an individual’s
degree of pleasure and mood.
 Evaluate how emotions influence learning, memory, attention, and meaning.
Emotions modulate almost every aspect of cognition; hence, emotional responses are
ubiquitous in nature and critical in academic settings. Emotions are described as a multifaceted
set of connections that are facilitated by hormonal and neural systems. They facilitate emotional
arousal and emotional valence, generate cognitive functions and trigger extensive physiological
and psychological changes that motivate behavior, which is often adaptive, goal-directed and
expressive. Many neural fibers emanate from the emotional center of the brain then into the
logical regions. Therefore, emotions are powerful determinants of a person’s behavior as
opposed to the rational or logical processes. Although reason tends to override emotions, it rarely
affects how people really feel about an issue. However, emotions tend to overlook the conscious
negotiation of a certain topic, and people tend to react more depending on their emotions as
opposed to reason. When it comes to learning, it occurs in the brain, the same place where
emotions occur.
Learning requires an individual to think, and thoughts influence how people think. There
exists a complex and bi-directional connection between learning and emotions. When individuals
get thoughts about an exciting event, the mood significantly gets better, also, being in an elevated

EMOTIONS ARE CRITICAL 4
mood makes people think about happy incidents. Mood influences people’s thoughts. Emotions
originate from the limbic system, an area in the central part of the brain, located between the
higher center, also known as the cortex, and the lower center, also known as the brainstem.
Alertness and arousal are controlled in the lower center or the brainstem, which transmits
sensory messages to the cortex, which is a region in the brain that holds a lot of thinking and
learning processes, through the limbic system. Memory, a critical component of learning, takes
place in the limbic system. Emotion, behavior, and learning mostly take place in the limbic
system, where they are directed and interpreted.
Emotion activates and deactivates learning. Usually, if the moods are low, there is
dormancy, and the pathway to learning is often stifled. After the interpretation of sensory
information is interpreted in the limbic system, it is transmitted to the cortex where it is
processed. The emotive tone of the material is set even before it gets to the cortex for further
action. If the system interprets the message as optimistic, it transmits a signal of excitement and
purpose, which is then directed toward the achievement of a goal. In such a case, an individual
becomes motivated to act. Consequently, acquisition of knowledge and thought processes are
improved. However, emotions deactivate the organs when the interpretation is deemed as
unconducive, and processes of learning and thinking are affected. An individual’s past
recollections and instant reactions to current situations affect the interpretation of sensory
information. Emotions, such as happiness, affect memory, learning, and one’s social behavior
positively. Consequently, negative emotional states have an adverse impact on motivation and
learning. The limbic system mediates between feelings and reason. Emotions can disrupt or
enhance learning and thinking.
 Discuss how to build a positive emotional climate in the classroom.

EMOTIONS ARE CRITICAL 5
A teacher has a role in creating, building, and fostering a positive emotional climate in
the classroom. The first way to achieve this is by nurturing a positive association with the
students. It is important to let the students know that they are important and that as a teacher, you
care about their needs and progress in the learning process. This can be achieved by greeting the
students by name every time a teacher walks into the classroom. This ensures that the students
know the teacher cares and appreciates their presence. The use of a warm language, both verbal
and non-verbal also enforces a positive emotional climate. Also, a teacher can enhance positive
peer relationships in the classroom. It is important for a teacher to pay attention to social
dynamics in class. Help students resolve issues they may be having with their friends while
maintaining impartiality. Also, through holding class meetings, a teacher is able to create and
foster a safe environment in class. A teacher should deliberately plan activities such as games
that foster positive interactions. Casual, positive interactions among students are important are
they ensure that students learn in a kind, supportive environment where a sense of belonging is
enhanced. Overall, a positive environment can be built through developing and reinforcing rules
and norms.

EMOTIONS ARE CRITICAL 6

References

Sylwester, R. (1994). How emotions affect learning. Educational leadership, 52(2), 60-65.
Tyng, C. M., Amin, H. U., Saad, M. N., & Malik, A. S. (2017). The influences of emotion on
learning and memory. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 1454.
Willis, J., & Mitchell, G. (2014). The neuroscience of learning: Principles and applications for
educators[Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/