Some psychologists argue that all actions occur depending on processes in the brain. This human body’s organ releases certain chemicals called neurotransmitters responsible for a specific set of functions. However, the statement that human consciousness and actions are the result of neural processes is quite debatable. The data obtained from researches on brain can explain some aspects of a person’s decision-making process. Still, this information cannot be a reliable source for all human behaviors and mental processes.
Neuroscience cannot explain the fundamental components of people’s experiences. Although thoughts can be attributed to neural processes, they are also the result of complex historical and cultural dynamics. Experiments in which an impact on a particular area of the brain causes a specific action do not prove that the only source of these experiences is the brain. A complex chain of memories can be awakened through one specific neural network activation and neurotransmitters. Meanwhile, the memory itself appeared in these neurons only due to the interaction with other people and the world. The brain can be considered the channel rather than a source of the behavior.
Some researchers agree that neuroscience can explain everything, referring to the analysis of the working of neurons, glial cells, and synaptic connections. In case of behavioral addiction, no extraneous chemicals enter the body, but it causes an enormous dopamine production (Linden, 2011). It is an active substance responsible for motivation, creating a sense of future pleasure (Linden, 2011). People get used to the behavior that causes dopamine and attempt to repeat such actions. However, as opposed to substance addiction, psychological dependence is also a chemical change in the balance of substances in the brain which modifies its work, but the process is different.
Currently, all over the world, there is considerable interest in the scientific achievements, mainly in such areas as psychology, biomedicine, and natural sciences. The trend in brain research prevails; neurotransmitters have a significant impact on human behaviors and mental processes. However, in this regard, experimentation is still advancing, and it cannot be assumed that the human brain defines all people’s actions as this organ is still unstudied.
Reference
Linden, D. J. (2011). Addictive personality? You might be a leader. The New York Times. Web.