Subtle is the Lord: the relationship between consciousness, the unconscious, and the executive control network (ECN) of the brain
Fred M. Levin, Colwyn Trevarthen
May 8, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9780429478581-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Citations | 12 |
| Key points | Argues that Gedo's developmental hierarchical model helps organize thinking about mind–brain patterns and control mechanisms, and proposes that the executive control network, extending to the corpus callosum, underlies consciousness, with non-optimal ECN activity coinciding with temporary disruptions of consciousness and secondary mood disturbances. |
Abstract
John E. Gedo&s;s developmental hierarchical model, which he and Goldberg originated and which he has continued to refine, offers clinicians and researchers alike remarkable assistance in organizing their thinking about the patterns and control mechanisms of mind–brain. R. W Sperry defines consciousness as "the highest level organizing principle of the mind". Damage to the executive control network (ECN) provides information about mind–brain correlations. For example, damage to the anterior cingulate disturbs the entire array of ECN functions, including such activities as error correction, associating, and dealing with conflicts. The final ECN extension is the corpus callosum, which interconnects the hemispheres and is itself associative cortex. Non-optimal ECN activity coincides with temporary disruptions of consciousness, and secondary disturbances in mood. The unconscious thus begins as a mental set associated with the negation of the mode of hallucinated wish fulfillment, yet still guided by what Sigmund Freud called the pleasure principle.