So, if you read this far then you're probably at least contemplating that you may have an aggressive manager and controlling manager. This might be a new idea for you as most people will be looking inward, perhaps wondering if there is any truth in what their manager says or what it is about them that attracts this kind of response. Manipulative managers are adept at instilling personal doubt into the minds of the people that they have chosen to target.
Maybe you also doubt that reading a few pages on a website is going to make much of a difference in the way that you're handling the experience that you're having now, whether it can really help. Guess what? You're absolutely right to wonder.
It doesn't matter how many self-help books or websites you read, it's very unlikely that that's going to make much of a difference to the way that you feel or how you behave in those moments when you are under attack.
To understand why this is so you need to understand a little about how our minds work, including yours.
Now, stick with this because it's important that you understand.
Semantic Memory
Semantic memory refers to our general knowledge and understanding of the world, including concepts, facts, and ideas that are not tied to a specific time or place. It allows us to understand and communicate meaning, and is used in everyday tasks such as recognizing objects, understanding language, and solving problems.
So, what do you keep stored in your semantic memory? Here're a few examples:
Episodic Memory
Episodic memory refers to our personal memories of specific events and experiences that we have experienced in our lives. These memories are tied to a specific time and place, and are often associated with sensory details and emotional experiences.
Here are some examples of what you keep in episodic memory:
All of these memories are specific to your personal experiences and are stored in episodic memory. They can be retrieved and recalled when you need to remember details about your past experiences.
The main difference between semantic and episodic memory is that semantic memory is more abstract and generalized, while episodic memory is more specific and tied to personal experiences.
Supposing you wanted to learn to play tennis. Undoubtedly there'll be many books and websites that will tell you what the rules of tennis are and also how to and when you should play a particular stroke and many other things. All, or rather some, of this information would be stored in your semantic memory.
But when you are under threat, as you are when you're subject to manipulative or agressive management, you mind and your body will be guided not by what you have read or seen, but rather by what you have previously experienced.
When under threat or in stressful situations, it can be more difficult to think rationally due to several physiological and psychological reasons:
Fight or Flight Response: This is a primal, automatic response to threats that prepares the body to either confront or flee from the threat. When this response is activated, certain bodily changes occur: increased heart rate, faster breathing, and a rush of adrenaline. These changes are meant to enhance physical responses, but they can hinder complex, rational thought.
Diverted Blood Flow: When in a stressful or threatening situation, blood flow increases to muscles and vital organs, preparing the body for immediate physical action. However, this can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain, making it harder to think clearly.
Tunnel Vision: Under threat, people often focus on the immediate danger and block out other information. This narrow focus can prevent them from seeing the broader picture or considering alternative solutions.
Cognitive Load: Stressful situations can overwhelm our cognitive capacity, making it harder to process information and make decisions.
Emotional Responses: Fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions can dominate the thinking process, overriding rational, logical thought.
Bias towards Action: Under threat, there might be a bias toward taking immediate action, even if it's not the most rational choice, because doing something often feels better than doing nothing, even if that action might not be optimal.
Past Experiences: Sometimes, our past experiences can shape our reactions to threats. If someone has previously faced similar threats and responded in a particular way, they might be inclined to react the same way again, even if it's not the most rational choice in the current situation.
Understanding these natural tendencies can help individuals prepare for and navigate threatening situations more effectively. Training, practice, and self-awareness can help mitigate some of these automatic responses and improve decision-making under stress.
When you are under threat, the brain's stress response mechanisms are activated, leading to a series of physiological and neurochemical changes. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region crucial for executive functions like decision-making, planning, and self-control, can be particularly affected:
Reduced Activity: Acute stress can lead to decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex. This is part of the brain's evolutionary adaptation to prioritize rapid responses, which are often controlled by older, more primal areas of the brain such as the amygdala.
Impaired Executive Functions: The PFC is essential for higher cognitive processes. Under threat, the ability to think critically, make decisions, exert self-control, and plan can be compromised.
Disruption in Working Memory: The PFC plays a role in working memory. Stress can impair this function, making it harder to hold onto and process relevant information.
Shift in Control: There's an observed shift in control from the PFC to the amygdala (an area involved in emotional processing and fear responses) under stress. This shift might result in more emotional and reflexive actions rather than thoughtful, deliberate ones.
Neurochemical Changes: Stress leads to the release of hormones like cortisol. High levels of cortisol can disrupt synaptic plasticity in the PFC, impairing its ability to function optimally. Over time, chronic stress can lead to structural changes in the PFC.
Reduced Neurogenesis: Chronic stress might decrease the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) in some parts of the brain, potentially impacting the PFC.
Impact on Connectivity: Stress can influence the connectivity and communication between the PFC and other brain regions. This altered connectivity might change the way different parts of the brain collaborate under threat.
In short, under threat or acute stress, the PFC's activity can be diminished, leading to decreased rational thinking and decision-making, while emotional and reactive processes become more dominant. This shift can be protective in immediate danger, but if it becomes chronic, it can be detrimental to overall cognitive health and well-being.
explain in simple terms what the pre-frontal cortex is
ChatGPT
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a part of the brain located at the very front, right behind your forehead. It's like the brain's control center, helping you make decisions, plan things, control impulses, and think about the consequences of your actions. It's essential for activities that require focus, problem-solving, and understanding complex situations.
User
explain what the pre-frontal cortex is
ChatGPT
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a region of the brain located in the frontmost part of the frontal lobes. It plays a critical role in higher-order cognitive functions, such as:
Decision-making: Choosing between different actions based on expected outcomes.
Planning: Organizing thoughts and actions for future needs.
Self-control: Regulating emotions and resisting impulsive behaviors.
Working memory: Temporarily holding and processing information.
Social cognition: Understanding and interpreting others' behaviors and emotions.
Essentially, the PFC acts as a control center for complex thinking and behavior, helping us navigate our environment with foresight, reason, and flexibility.
User
what is the amagdyla
ChatGPT
The amygdala (sometimes spelled "amygdala") is a small, almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the brain's temporal lobes. It plays a crucial role in processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety. The amygdala is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is the body's immediate reaction to threats. When activated, it can trigger various physiological reactions, like increased heart rate and heightened alertness, preparing the body to either face the threat ("fight") or flee from it ("flight"). Additionally, the amygdala is involved in memory formation, particularly for emotionally charged events.
User
explain the amygdala simply
ChatGPT
The amygdala is a small part of the brain that helps process emotions, especially fear. Think of it as the brain's alarm system, alerting you to danger and triggering the "fight or flight" response.
Regenerateto threats. If someone has previously faced similar threats and responded in a particular way, they might be inclined to react the same way again, even if it's not the most rational choice in the current situation.
Understanding these natural tendencies can help individuals prepare for and navigate threatening situations more effectively. Training, practice, and self-awareness can help mitigate some of these automatic responses and improve decision-making under stress.
When you are under threat, the brain's stress response mechanisms are activated, leading to a series of physiological and neurochemical changes. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region crucial for executive functions like decision-making, planning, and self-control, can be particularly affected:
Reduced Activity: Acute stress can lead to decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex. This is part of the brain's evolutionary adaptation to prioritize rapid responses, which are often controlled by older, more primal areas of the brain such as the amygdala.
Impaired Executive Functions: The PFC is essential for higher cognitive processes. Under threat, the ability to think critically, make decisions, exert self-control, and plan can be compromised.
Disruption in Working Memory: The PFC plays a role in working memory. Stress can impair this function, making it harder to hold onto and process relevant information.
Shift in Control: There's an observed shift in control from the PFC to the amygdala (an area involved in emotional processing and fear responses) under stress. This shift might result in more emotional and reflexive actions rather than thoughtful, deliberate ones.
Neurochemical Changes: Stress leads to the release of hormones like cortisol. High levels of cortisol can disrupt synaptic plasticity in the PFC, impairing its ability to function optimally. Over time, chronic stress can lead to structural changes in the PFC.
Reduced Neurogenesis: Chronic stress might decrease the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) in some parts of the brain, potentially impacting the PFC.
Impact on Connectivity: Stress can influence the connectivity and communication between the PFC and other brain regions. This altered connectivity might change the way different parts of the brain collaborate under threat.
In short, under threat or acute stress, the PFC's activity can be diminished, leading to decreased rational thinking and decision-making, while emotional and reactive processes become more dominant. This shift can be protective in immediate danger, but if it becomes chronic, it can be detrimental to overall cognitive health and well-being.