ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the Neurological Self as a “traffic cop” monitoring the neurological traffic of the whole brain. It monitors the traffic of the sensory systems and the homeostatic condition of the brain itself. In addition, it has a regulatory function. The NS regulates the nonsensory limbic processes to return the brain to its steady state condition. With growth, the brain’s mind could then classify itself to create a system of psychological selves specialized to cope with the complexities of the external environment. The mind also discriminates between limbic activity occurring in the body (illness) or dysfunctions of the self-system (emotion). Like all neurological systems and muscles, the NS needs repetitive use. This need is called affect hunger. Without this kind of nourishment, the brain can become severely disorganized. This chapter concludes the first part of this book. The rest of this book will describe the psychology that emerges from the theory.
