The Interrupted Self: Understanding Our Mental and Physical Maps

The Foundation of Body Image

The concept of "Body Image" refers to the mental representation we have of our physical selves. This image is not a static snapshot but a dynamic, ever-evolving map influenced by sensory inputs, including proprioception—the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. This mental map is crucial for everyday functions and is foundational to how we perceive ourselves and interact with our environment.

Components of the Body Map

• Sensory Input: Includes tactile sensations, temperature, and pain.
• Proprioception: Helps in understanding the position of different body parts.
• Kinesthetic Sense: Involves the movement and strain of muscles and joints.

Interaction with the World: The World Map

Our "Body Map" extends into what can be termed as a "World Map." This broader psychic representation incorporates how we perceive our environment, influencing our interactions and reactions. Interestingly, this map does not always adjust to real-time changes in our physical state, such as in cases of amputation, leading to phenomena like phantom limb syndrome.

Discrepancies in the World Map

• Phantom Limb Syndrome: Individuals continue to feel sensations from amputated limbs, as the brain's map does not update the loss.
• Exclusion of Contradictory Facts: Often, our World Map ignores or rationalizes inputs that contradict pre-existing beliefs or knowledge.

The Brain's Functional Set and Personal Narrative

The brain operates through a hierarchical set of instructions and feedback loops aiming for equilibrium and homeostasis. These include:

• Basic Mechanical Functions: Governed by neurons and glial cells.
• Sensory-Motor Applications: Basic processing of sensory inputs.
• Functional Instructions: Higher-level commands on how to process and integrate sensory information.
• Meta-Instructions: Advanced classification systems that help in understanding complex patterns and social cues.

Hierarchical Structure of Brain Functions

1. Hardware Level: Neurons and glial cells.
2. Compiler Level: Feedback loops interpreting sensory inputs.
3. Application Level: Direct instructions on processing inputs.
4. Meta Level: Advanced systems for complex processing and integration.

Implications for Mental and Organic Disorders

The overlap between mental and organic disorders suggests a common basis in disruptions to these maps and narratives. Disorders can manifest through various symptoms such as confabulation, antisocial behavior, emotional flatness, and psychotic episodes, reflecting disturbances in the brain's functional set and its ability to maintain a coherent narrative.

Common Characteristics in Disorders

• Confabulation: Fabrication of memories in response to gaps in understanding.
• Antisocial Behavior: Due to disruptions in social code processing.
• Emotional Flatness: Possibly stemming from impaired feedback loops.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex interplay between our mental and physical maps provides insights into both everyday functioning and the basis of various psychological and physiological disorders. By studying these interactions, we can better understand the underlying mechanisms of human behavior and cognition.

For further reading on psychophysics and its implications, visit Sam Vaknin's Psychophysics.

This exploration into our mental and physical representations highlights the intricate and dynamic nature of how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world around us.