Emotion

Question 1

what is the limbic system?

Answer 1

Emotion is primarily processed in the limbic system (including amygdala) and prefrontal cortex.

The limbic systemis asubcortical structure(not cerebral cortex – under it), which is involved in memory, emotion, behaviour and motivation, but most commonly recognised for emotion. It’s made up of:

• hypothalamus
• amygdala
• hippocampus
• more parts not important to emotion

Question 1

role of hypothalamus

Answer 1

produces physiological responses to fear, e.g. sweating

Question 2

role of amygdala

Answer 2

activates emotions, especially fear; also involved in memory

Question 3

role of hippocampus

Answer 3

processes memory relating to emotion

Question 4

what is the prefrontal cortex? and its role?

Answer 4

The prefrontal cortexis part of the cortex responsible for higher order thinking like planning, making judgements, etc. It also connects areas responsible for emotion, and regulates them (‘edits’ them, making adjustments).