In our introductory lecture, Dr. Jalal begins our exploration of the basis of human nature, examining how the brain constructs the self through key regions such as the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Together, we study the interplay between hemispheres, with the left weaving stable narratives and the right questioning them. Through cases of brain damage—such as split-brain patients—we reveal how hemispheric balance shapes a unified consciousness, self-awareness, and how its disruption can spark perceptual delusions or profound personality changes.

In lecture two, we investigate the concept of the social self and how consciousness develops through interpersonal relationships, using various conditions to illustrate social cognition. The discussion focuses primarily on autism, examining its symptoms, neural basis, and the distinction between cognitive and affective empathy, while also covering psychopathy as a contrasting condition. Dr. Jalal also addresses how brain structures and abnormalities can dramatically influence social behavior and personality, highlighting the complex relationship between neural function and social interaction.

In lecture three, Dr. Jalal explains how brain structures shape behavior and emotion, highlighting cases where tumors near the amygdala or hypothalamus triggered violent or deviant acts that ceased after surgery. We examine the neuroscience of attraction, laughter, and social connection, showing how the limbic system drives emotion and how plasticity lets us reshape neural circuits through attention and rewarding experiences. The session emphasizes that while biology guides us, deliberate practice can cultivate emotional intelligence and social skills.