Moral elevation, or elevation, is a specific emotional state triggered by witnessing displays of profound virtue and moral beauty. This study set out to characterize the physiology underlying elevation with measurements of heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity. During elevation, HR and RSA increased. These findings illustrate that elevation involves an uncommon combination of both sympathetic and parasympathetic activation, which is present in circumstances where arousal and social engagement are both required. In addition, we show evidence of content-dependent alterations of mPFC activity during elevation peaks. Altogether, this study shows that the induction of moral elevation recruits an uncommon autonomic and neural pattern that is consistent with previous understanding of socioemotional-induced allostasis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.03.004 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Bachelor Program in Digital Media and Technology, Tzu Chi University, 701 Zhongyang Rd., Sec. 3, Hualien City, 97004, Taiwan.
Altruism is beneficial to society as it promotes mental and physical health alongside economic and societal growth. Previous studies have indicated, however, that people tend not to engage in altruistic behaviors toward strangers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the factors that motivate individuals to participate in altruistic actions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Investig Health Psychol Educ
December 2024
Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK.
The first 16 weeks postpartum are particularly challenging for a new mother and are associated with an elevated risk of experiencing psychological distress. Guilt and shame have been identified as significant predictors of other forms of psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression. However, guilt and shame are poorly distinguished in pre-existing literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOchsner J
January 2024
The University of Queensland Medical School, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
Spinal cord sarcoidosis, an uncommon manifestation of neurosarcoidosis, presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because the condition is rare and has diverse clinical manifestations that can mimic other conditions such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. A middle-aged African American female with a history of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with progressive, predominantly left-sided gait instability, weakness, and paresthesia. Cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytosis, red blood cells, elevated oligoclonal bands, and elevated kappa free light chains, concerning for multiple sclerosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCogn Affect Behav Neurosci
December 2024
Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
The extent to which a belief is rooted in one's sense of morality has significant societal implications. While moral conviction can inspire positive collective action, it can also prompt dogmatism, intolerance, and societal divisions. Research in social psychology has documented the functional characteristics of moral conviction and shows that poor metacognition exacerbates its negative outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNaunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol
December 2024
Department of Human Biology to the Physiology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause blood pressure (BP) elevation in estrogen-deficient, post-menopausal women; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, the aortic involvement and its underlying mechanisms that contribute to the BP elevation in estrogen-deficient, RA condition were identified. Ovariectomy was performed to create a state of estrogen deficiency and RA was then induced in ovariectomized rats by using incomplete Freund's adjuvant and immune-mediated collagen type-II.
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