Neural Substructures for Appraisal in Emotion: Self-esteem and Depression

摘要

In an attempt to bridge the gap between appraisal theory and the neuroscience of emotions, we have created a computational neural model in which a discrepancy between the internal value of global self-esteem and a more temporary, stimulus-inspired current self-esteem initiates an ongiong emotional response. We assign possible neural correlates to the nodes in this model, amongst which the orbitofrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus. We propose disruptions of the model analogous to states of depression.