Drilling Holes in the Skull and Severing Brain Neurons... Humanity's Struggle with Uncontrollable Emotions [How About This Book]

Ethan Kross, "The Science of Emotion: Shift"
The History of Healing the Mind Mirrors Human History
"Incas Drilled Holes in the Skull to Treat Depression"
Involuntary Emotions Are Blameless... The Issue Lies in Our Choices Afterward
Humans Pref

The ancient Inca are known to have performed the world's first surgical procedure involving drilling holes in the skull. This so-called "trepanation" is an operation that is extremely complex and risky even by modern medical standards. Why, then, did people at the time take such risks? This book explains that the reason was "to help people manage their emotions," analyzing the issue of emotional regulation as a theme deeply intertwined with human history.

Drilling Holes in the Skull and Severing Brain Neurons... Humanity's Struggle with Uncontrollable Emotions [How About This Book]

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The author is a professor in the Department of Psychology and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Citing historians' hypotheses, she argues that the ancient Inca likely used trepanation to treat emotional regulation disorders such as depression or mania. Throughout history, humans have made diverse efforts to manage emotions. People placed leeches on their heads or attempted exorcisms; in the 17th century, they seared the head with heated iron rods. In 1949, neurologist Ant?nio Egas Moniz was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for attempting to treat extreme emotional states by inserting an iron rod behind the eye to sever neuronal connections. However, due to ethical and medical concerns, this method is now banned worldwide.

After exploring the history of emotional management, the book focuses on how modern medicine deals with emotions. One key point is that experiencing negative emotions is entirely natural and cannot be judged as right or wrong. For example, if a disability rights activist experiences inconvenience while using the subway to attend an important event due to a protest for mobility rights, the immediate feeling of annoyance is a natural reaction. However, what action the person takes afterward to advocate for disability rights is a separate matter. This is also why the saying "Fear is a reaction, but courage is a decision" is widely cited in psychology.

While immediate feelings cannot be controlled, the subsequent regulation of emotions is possible. In a 2000 study of 437 incoming college students, 40% of respondents said, "I can't control my emotions." The author points out that while it is true that emotional control is impossible, this only applies to the first stage of emotion processing, known as the "trigger." In other words, the stimuli that evoke emotions may differ, but whether the emotion persists is up to the individual. "We cannot control the world around us. Nor can we control the very emergence of emotions. But this is only half of the emotional equation. A spark can ignite on its own, but once the fire is lit, it is up to us whether we extinguish it or fan its flames. In other words, we can control the trajectory of our emotions."

The snake experiment conducted by psychologist Albert Bandura in the late 1960s demonstrates the possibility of emotional regulation. Four participants with severe snake phobias began by viewing snakes through a mirror, gradually approached them, and ultimately overcame their fear. Through this process, they became aware of their own capacity for emotional regulation, which led to increased self-efficacy. In 114 subsequent experiments over the next 20 years, involving 22,000 participants, average self-efficacy improved by 28%.

The author challenges the psychological consensus that "negative experiences must be confronted head-on." She argues that there is no single correct answer in psychotherapy, and only situationally appropriate approaches are possible. She emphasizes that avoidance can also be an effective strategy, citing as an example NBA rebounding champion Dennis Rodman, who used "bad boy" behaviors as a form of avoidance to relieve psychological pressure.

She also proposes the "law of least effort" as a way to reduce psychological distress. Rather than seeking new solutions in difficult situations, she suggests leveraging the human tendency to remain in familiar discomfort. Just as the US Navy SEALs prepare response plans for every scenario before a mission, she explains that preparing coping strategies for anticipated situations in advance can reduce the burden required for action. The "Dunedin Project," which began in New Zealand in 1872, supports this. After measuring the emotional regulation abilities of 1,037 children and tracking them for 50 years, the study found that those with strong emotional regulation skills excelled in terms of economic status, health, and aging.

Conversely, those who lacked these skills were more likely to suffer from crime, addiction, and health problems. However, this is not solely due to innate temperament. The author emphasizes that the human prefrontal cortex has the power to control thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and that the choice lies with the individual. She firmly rejects the notion that there is a single answer in psychology or that one must meet certain criteria to achieve freedom. Instead of insisting that freedom comes only from confronting pain head-on, she argues that different methods are needed depending on the person, time, and environment. Overall, the author's arguments are well-supported by evidence and examples, though in some parts, readers may wish for a bit more specificity.