The reptilian brain and power addicts

The reptilian brain and addiction to power always go hand in hand. They are personalities governed by the most primitive emotions, the most aggressive and lacking in empathy, where only the pleasure of domination and concern for oneself breathes. In their minds there is no self-control, and even less consideration for others.

It was Paul D. MacLean who in 1952 proposed his evolutionary theory of the triune brain to explain emotional processes and their changes throughout our evolution as a species. According to the famous psychiatrist and neuroscientist, To this day, the human being continues to conserve these three basic structures: a reptilian brain, the limbic system and a newer and more complex brain responsible for higher functions, the neocortex.

Although it is true that neurologists agree with this conception that alludes to the biological evolution of our brain, it is no less true that they are skeptical about the idea of ​​a “fragmented” and disharmonious brain. They think that defending this last conceptualization would be like defending that radical and almost obsessive distinction between the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere that has been so fashionable for some years.

We have to see the human brain as a whole, otherwise we will make mistakes. It is not a puzzle, but an organ with certain specialized areas that connect with each other to execute certain functions together, like an effective and always perfect team. Now, sometimes, yes, the activation of a part can stand out, especially if we talk about emotions.

The reptilian brain and our irrational decisions

We have already talked about the fact that there is a very specific type of personality that allows itself to be guided exclusively by the reptilian brain: those who are addicted to territoriality, control, domination or even aggression. Does this mean that other people have that deep, intimate and atavistic area of ​​our brain “disconnected”?

Not at all, and neuromarketing experts know a lot about this. That reptilian brain, that old and dark companion, also controls many of our basic functions, our instincts.. In fact, tasks such as breathing or the feeling of hunger and thirst are under their control, as well as those more primitive emotions such as desire, sex, power or even violence as a means of survival.

The advertising industry knows well that human beings are almost always governed by the reptilian brain when choosing one product or another.. Most of the time, when we take out our credit card we seek to satisfy our desires, our instincts, needs and pleasures.

The smoker, for example, will continue buying tobacco even knowing that he may die, and he will do so simply because he needs to satisfy his addiction. In these cases, the neocortex, the most logical brain, has no say. So much so that neuromarketing experts know that their decision-making power in these cases does not exceed 20%.

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Power addicts and low emotional control

Comparing a despotic and controlling person with the personality of a 3-year-old child is sometimes a fairly accurate simile. It is for a very simple reason: due to their poor control when managing emotions. David McClelland, well-known motivational psychologist and famous for his theory of needs, explained to us that The human being is basically characterized by three objectives: affiliation, achievement and power.

In each of us a need usually stands out. There will be those who value relationships more, those who aspire to achieve certain achievements and those who simply have only one obsession: exercising power in the area that is possible. In this last case something very specific and notable happens: the greater the need for power; less emotional control; Therefore, the greater the influence of the reptilian brain.
These would be the basic characteristics of a profile associated with this type of personality:

They are energetic, very outward-oriented and to establish new social relationships with those who appear to be very kind, close and exaggeratedly open. However, This opening actually hides a camouflaged interest: knowing to control, intuiting to blackmail and creating alliances with which to obtain more power.They are people who are always on the defensive. At the slightest they feel hurt or betrayed; When this happens, they do not hesitate to react aggressively.They tend to lose their temper easily because the reptilian brain lacks filters, control mechanisms to manage anger, rage, annoyance or even fear.They are incapable of being receptive or empathetic to the needs of others, because this intimate and deep structure of our brain lacks emotional coherence, balance, an adequate solvency to differentiate instincts from reason.

To conclude, although many of us know someone with this profile, we must be clear about one aspect: The reptilian brain undoubtedly guides many of our reactions and choices. However, we should never let it take control over each of our behaviors.

The theory of the “triune brain” is useful to understand the world of our emotions, and above all, to be aware of that ultimate need to invest time and effort in providing ourselves with adequate emotional development. Just as we exercise our body and try to cultivate our intellect every day, Let’s become more skilled at managing those drives, those primitive emotions that, although it may be hard for us to believe, govern a large part of our lives.

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Main image courtesy of Nicoletta Ceccoli