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Primal Messaging
Signaling our limbic systems
Why do so many people love their pet dogs so much? How does a dog communicate so profoundly with its owner? How does wagging a tail create such a strong bond of affection and attachment? The answer seems to be that the dog is signaling our emotional center in a very simple yet profound and powerful way. I call this messaging system “Primal Messaging” or “Limbic Calculus” Informally, people sometimes use words such as “chemistry” or “vibes” with a similar meaning.
Definition
Signaling between the limbic systems of two beings. This signaling is often non-verbal, and often takes place below the level of consciousness.
Semantics and Syntax:
We signal messages from our limbic system to the limbic system of others using a variety of symbols, including facial expression, non-verbal emblems, voice inflection, body position, etc. Most of these messages pertain to our most basic needs. Here is the basic vocabulary of those messages:
| Need |
Syntax |
Semantics |
|
Semantics |
Syntax |
Dimension |
Need |
| Exploration |
Smile |
Approach |
↔
|
Retreat |
|
Distance |
Safety |
| Relatedness |
Smile |
Like |
↔
|
Dislike |
Frown |
|
Safety |
|
|
Authentic |
↔ |
Fake, phony |
|
|
|
| Safety |
|
Safe |
↔ |
Unsafe |
|
Safety |
Safety |
|
|
Optimistic |
↔ |
Disagree |
|
|
|
|
|
Understand |
↔ |
Puzzled |
|
|
|
| Procreation |
|
Hot (sexy) |
↔ |
Not Attractive |
|
|
Selection |
| Progress |
|
Continue |
↔ |
Halt |
|
|
Safety |
| Competence |
|
Sure (confident) |
↔ |
Unsure |
|
Confidence |
Competence |
|
|
Interested |
↔ |
Bored |
|
|
|
|
|
Happy |
↔ |
Sad |
|
|
|
|
|
Pleased |
↔ |
Displeased |
|
Judgment |
|
|
|
Dominant |
↔ |
Submissive |
|
Power |
|
|
|
Strong |
↔ |
Weak |
|
Strength |
|
|
|
Know |
↔ |
Don’t know |
|
Knowledge |
|
|
|
Trust |
↔ |
Distrust |
|
|
|
|
|
Believing |
↔ |
Skeptical |
|
|
|
|
|
Rested, Vital |
↔ |
Fatigued, Exhausted |
|
Energy |
|
|
|
Friendly |
↔ |
Unfriendly, Hostile |
|
|
|
|
|
Proud |
↔ |
Ashamed |
|
stature |
|
|
|
Aggressive |
↔ |
Passive, Calm |
|
|
|
|
|
Respect |
↔ |
Disrespect |
|
Esteem |
|
|
|
Defiant |
↔ |
Contrite, Apologetic |
|
|
|
|
|
Thankful, Grateful |
↔ |
No Thanks, Unappreciative |
|
|
|
|
|
Relieved |
↔ |
Concerned, Anxious |
|
|
|
|
|
Relaxed |
↔ |
Stressed |
|
|
|
| Procreation |
|
(Sexually) Available |
↔ |
Unreceptive |
|
Procreation |
Selectivity |
|
|
Empathetic, I care |
↔ |
I Don’t care |
|
|
|
|
|
Sincere |
↔ |
Insincere |
|
|
|
|
|
Warm |
↔ |
Cold |
|
|
|
|
|
Friend |
↔ |
Foe |
|
|
|
|
|
Fearful, Threatened |
↔ |
Safe |
|
Safety |
Safety |
|
|
Patient |
↔ |
Impatient |
|
|
|
|
|
Urgent |
↔ |
Casual |
|
Time |
|
|
|
Important |
↔ |
Trivial |
|
|
|
|
|
Approve |
↔ |
Disapprove |
|
|
|
| Esteem |
|
Valued |
↔ |
Worthless |
|
|
Esteem |
|
|
Helpful |
↔ |
Hurtful |
|
|
|
Note that the signal may pertain to the self (1st person), you (2nd person) or a 3rd person.
Quotations
- Our brains are physically wired to develop in tandem with another's through emotional communication, beginning before words are spoken ~ Allan N. Schore
- We are designed to be emotionally entangled. ~ Marc Ian Barasch
References:
A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, Richard Lannon
http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~kris/ftp/thesis/mdpir.pdf
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Fear, Sadness, Anger, Joy, Surprise, Disgust, Contempt, Anger, Envy, Jealousy, Fright, Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Relief, Hope, Sadness, Depression, Happiness, Pride, Love, Gratitude, Compassion, Aesthetic Experience, Joy, Distress, Happy-for, Sorry-for, Resentment, Gloating, Pride, Shame, Admiration, Reproach, Love, Hate, Hope, Fear, Satisfaction, Relief, Fears-confirmed, Disappointment, Gratification, Gratitude, Anger, Remorse, power, dominance, stature, relationships
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