Work

Revisiting “The Malicious Serpent”: Phylogenetically Threatening Stimulus Marked in the Human Brain

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Twenty years ago, Öhman and Mineka's publication “The Malicious Serpent” emphasized the selective pressure ancestral reptiles would have on early mammals’ visual system, specifically the development of a set of subcortical structures that would provide snake-like images privileged access to the amygdala. This process would occur automatically and allows for quick defensive reactions. Based on criticisms directed to the snake detection research, we created five questions that guided the discussion in this review. Evidence suggests the existence of a set of subcortical structures that promote prompt detection of snakes and sustained attention, but difficulties arise due to the complex interconnectivity of cortical and subcortical structures and multiple threat responses. Gaps in the research are identified as potential for future investigation.

Source: Emotion Review

DOI: 10.1177/17540739241277942

Authors: Luiz Biondi, Nuno Gomes, Rafael S. Maior, Sandra C. Soares

Institutions: University of Aveiro, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, William James Center for Research, Universidade de Brasília

Language: English

Topic: Memory and Neural Mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Awards: G3598540615, G4373262876, The influence of spatial frequencies, presence of conspecifics, perceptual load and anxiety in the detection of threatening visual stimuli., G8817577162