Medicine:A-process
A-process refers to the one of the emotional internal processes or responses of the opponent-process theory. The A-process is largely responsible for the initial, usually fast and immediate, emotional reaction to a stimulus. The theory considers it a primary process and may be affectively positive or negative, but never neutral.[1] The theory also proposes that this process automatically causes a B-process, which is subjectively and physiologically opposite in direction to the A-process.[1]
There is a peak response to any emotional stimuli which usually occurs rapidly, usually out of shock, but lasts only as long as the stimuli is present. In a physiological sense, the a-process is where the pupils dilate, the heart rate increases, and the adrenaline rushes.[2]
A- and B-processes
The A- and B-processes are consequently and temporarily linked but were believed to depend on different neurobiological mechanisms.[3] B-Process, the other part of opponent-process theory, occurs after the initial shock, or emotion and is evoked after a short delay.[3] A-process and B-process overlap in somewhat of an intermediate area. While A-process is still in effect, B-process starts to rise, ultimately leveling out a-process' initial spike in emotion. A-process ends once the stimulus is terminated, leaves, or ends. Physiologically, this is where breathing returns to normal, pulse slows back to its normal rate, and heart rate starts to drop. The B-process can be thought of as the "after-reaction".[2] Once B-process has ended, the body returns to homeostasis and emotions return to baseline.
Research on the brain mechanisms of drug addiction showed how the A-process is equated with the pleasure derived from drugs and once it weakens, it is followed by the strengthening of the B-process, which are the withdrawal symptoms.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gutkin, Boris; Ahmed, Serge (2011). Computational Neuroscience of Drug Addiction. New York: Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 72. ISBN 9781461407508.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mazur, James E. (2013). Learning and behavior (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson. ISBN 9780205246441. OCLC 751780873. https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/751780873.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Koob, George; Le Moal, Michel (2005). Neurobiology of Addiction. London: Academic Press. pp. 14. ISBN 9780124192393.
- ↑ Mazur, James (2016). Learning and Behavior: Seventh Edition. Oxon: Routledge. pp. 46. ISBN 9780205246441.
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