AP PSYCHOLOGY

MOTIVATION EMOTION AND STRESS

THEORIES AND PHYSIOLOGY OF EMOTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The master emotional center of the limbic system, associated especially with fear and aggression, is the ____
A
amygdala.
B
nucleus accumbens.
C
hippocampus.
D
corpus callosum.
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Amygdala. The amygdala’s name refers to its almond-like shape. Located right next to the hippocampus, the left and right amygdalae play a central role in our emotional responses, including feelings like pleasure, fear, anxiety and anger.

Detailed explanation-2: -Amygdala is the integrative center for emotions, emotional behavior, and motivation. If the brain is turned upside down the end of the structure continuous with the hippocampus is called the uncus. If you peel away uncus you will expose the amygdala which abuts the anterior of the hippocampus.

Detailed explanation-3: -The amygdala is commonly thought to form the core of a neural system for processing fearful and threatening stimuli (4), including detection of threat and activation of appropriate fear-related behaviors in response to threatening or dangerous stimuli.

Detailed explanation-4: -As you know, the pituitary is the so-called “master gland, ” and these hormones are vitally important in regulating growth and metabolism. Hippocampus Page 2 of 5 Page 3 The hippocampus consists of two “horns” that curve back from the amygdala.

Detailed explanation-5: -Limbic system and fear The limbic system, especially the amygdala, plays a vital role in controlling various emotional behaviors, such as fear, rage, anxiety, etc. The anterior limbic network and related regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala, are the main players for regulating such emotions.

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