"Affective Neuroscience" explores the significance of emotions in the brain's functioning and the behaviour of humans and animals. As a neuroscientist, Panksepp contends that emotions are fundamental to how creatures perceive and interact with their surroundings.
He evidences the primary emotional systems found in Motional - CARE, SEEKING, PLAY, and RAGE, FEAR, PANIC & GRIEF - found in all mammals, including humans. Panksepp further investigates the neurobiology of each emotional system, discussing the brain regions and neurotransmitters involved and the behavioural and physiological reactions correlated with each emotion. He also analyses how these emotional systems interact and affect each other and their role in motivation, decision-making, and social behaviour.
