Adaptation to potential threat~The evolution, neurobiology, and psychopathology of the security motivation system

Eminent Canadian psychologists are coming up with an argument to manage risks of uncertain and improbable situations. Human beings have developed a special motivational system, which psychologists call the security motivation system.

How adaptation has affected the animal kingdom in general and human beings in specific has always been an area of interest for the scientific community. Especially, every time the human civilization has faced the threat of existence due to certain biological or evolutionary vulnerabilities, this has turned out to be something of immense importance.

Uncertain, improbable, but grave potential dangers pose unique adaptive challenges to human civilization. Eminent Canadian psychologists are coming up with the argument that to manage such risks. Human beings have developed a special motivational system, which the psychologists call the security motivation system.

Understanding the Security Motivation System: Neurobiological Insights and Implications for Mental Health

Prior research across various species indicates that this system successfully detects subtle indicators of potential threat. They then evolve to probe the environment for further information about possible dangers. This system motivates the species to engage in precautionary behaviors. This also acts as an important function in the termination of security motivation.

This specific article acts in the direction of advancement of a neurobiological-circuit model of the security motivation system. This system consists of a cascade of cortico-striato-pallido-thalamo-cortical loops.

The research delves into the intricate aspects of the broader physiological network, particularly focusing on the control of the parasympathetic nervous system. It suggests that certain types of psychopathology may arise from dysfunctions within the security motivation system. This system, crucial for detecting and responding to potential threats, can lead to mental health issues when it malfunctions. The paper’s primary focus is to describe how these dysfunctions contribute to psychopathology, emphasizing the need to understand the security motivation system’s role in mental health. Ultimately, the research aims to highlight the importance of addressing these dysfunctions for better psychological outcomes.