The Amygdala part of the limbic system (with the hippocampus and hypothalamus) amygdala = “almond” processes emotional significance of stimuli and generates immediate reactions damage to amygdala  inability to recognize facial emotions absence of fear absence of conditioned fear response abnormal activation of amygdala  sudden violent rage in fMRI studies, the amygdala is activated by scary stimuli (even if you’re not aware of them)

Emotions aid in decision-making Emotions communicate consistent across cultures and even species Emotions aid in decision-making gut feelings often right people with damage to the emotional system (orbitofrontal cortex) are poor at using past outcomes to regulate future behavior in a gambling task Emotions capture attention and aid memory Emotions strengthen interpersonal relations guilt, embarrassment , jealousy

Disgust Surprise Sadness

Eyes “Female brain is Predominantly hard wired for empathy.”

Autism Quotient Spectrum disorder Male brains are predominantly hardwired for understanding and building systems