Many components of emotional experience are specifically localized in the brain. What have researchers learned about emotion and the brain, especially in regard to:

Question

• the key role the amygdala plays in emotion;
• the interaction between the amygdala and the cerebral cortex in "completing" the emotional picture;
• the effects of brain damage to the amygdala;
• the effects of brain damage to critical areas of the cortex dealing with emotion?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
• The amygdala plays a key role in emotion, especially anger and fear. It determines the emotional importance of sensory information and makes the initial decision to approach or withdraw.
• Parts of the cortex generate a more complete emotional picture than the amygdala and can override signals sent by the amygdala.
• Damage to the amygdala results in the inability to process fear.
• People with damage to the cortex may have difficulty turning off their own fear responses, causing anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.