Kelly has taught High School Science and Applied Communications. She holds an Education Specialist Degree in Ed. Leadership.
Amygdala's Role in Emotion: Function & Overview
Amygdala Structure
The amygdala is an important part of the limbic system. The limbic system is comprised of various brain structures that are located above the brain stem and is highly involved with our emotions, feelings of pleasure, and memories. The amygdala is involved with the processing of the emotions, memories, and motivation.
Amygdala is Greek for the word 'almond'. The almond-shaped structure is only about an inch long. It is deep in the temporal lobes a few inches from each ear. This little almond has nerves running all through it, sending incoming messages from all of our senses, as well as from organs, throughout our body. The nerves are also attached to other important centers of our brains for the amygdala to send outgoing messages to.
An error occurred trying to load this video.
Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.
You must cCreate an account to continue watching
Register to view this lesson
As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 83,000 lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed.
Get unlimited access to over 83,000 lessons.
Try it nowAlready registered? Log in here for access
BackYou're on a roll. Keep up the good work!
Just checking in. Are you still watching?
Yes! Keep playing.- 0:01 Amygdala Structure
- 0:45 Amygdala Function
- 1:22 Emotions
- 3:14 Lesson Summary
Amygdala Function
The amygdala has many functions. It seems to act as a processing factory. It processes many things like memories, emotions, and responses to the environment.
The amygdala gets messages from all over the body and outside of the body through our senses. It takes the information and processes it to create an appropriate response to the messages it receives. When it is stimulated, it can cause intense responses of emotions. The amygdala is associated with:
- Arousal
- Autonomic responses
- Fear
- Emotional responses
- Hormonal secretions
- Memory
Emotions
The amygdala is part of the limbic system of the brain, which is involved with emotions and other reactions to stimuli. The amygdala is a processing center that is hooked up to receive incoming messages from our senses and our internal organs. It is highly involved with different emotional responses.
Fear is one of the responses that the amygdala is associated with. Responses to fear can include an increased heart rate, increased muscle tension, sweaty yet cold palms, and, at times, even nausea and diarrhea. These physical reactions get the body and mind ready for a fight or flight reaction. A fight or flight reaction is an internal defense mechanism to prepare the body and mind to get out of harm's way.
There are times when the amygdala takes a fearful situation and doesn't let go of it. These situations are usually extreme, such as fighting in a war. When the amygdala refuses to let go of this situation it may place the body in constant, or chronic, fight or flight mode. This type of disorder is known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Along with emotions, the amygdala processes memories. It filters the memories with the different emotional responses involved with the memory. The amygdala decides which memories it will keep and where the brain will store these memories. The more emotion attached to the memory, the more likely the amygdala will clear it for storage.
Let's use the emotions from a wedding as an example of this memory processing. The emotions attached to a bride's wedding are very strong (hopefully positive). The amygdala will sense this intense response to this day and give the memory a thumbs-up to pass into storage. It will send the memory to the hippocampus, another structure in the limbic system, which sends the memory into the proper storage box in the brain.
Lesson Summary
The amygdala is the structure handling the processing of the emotions, memories, and motivation and can be found in the brain's temporal lobe. It's part of the limbic system, which is made up of various brain structures that are located above the brain stem and is highly involved with our emotions, feelings of pleasure, and memories. When you experience fear, your amygdala is responsible when your palms are cold but sweating, your heart is beating so fast that you grab your chest to make sure it stays inside, and when you feel sick to your stomach (this is the fight or flight response, something that sufferers of PTSD experience at inopportune times).
What is happening is that all of your senses are sending messages via nerves from your senses, which are taking information from outside of your body, and from the some of the organs inside your body. The amygdala takes these messages and processes them to create responses.
The amygdala also processes memories and decides which ones it wants to keep and where these memories should be stored. It does this by working with the hippocampus, another structure in the limbic system, which sends the memory into the proper storage box in the brain. The amygdala is also associated with other functions that involve reacting to different stimuli. Pretty impressive for a tiny little nut!
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackAmygdala's Role in Emotion: Function & Overview
Related Study Materials
- Psychology Courses
- General Psychology Courses
- Transferable Credit Courses
- Test Prep Courses
- Study Courses
- Psychology 312: History and Systems of Psychology
- Psychology 311: Physiological Psychology
- OSAT Elementary Education (CEOE) (050/051): Practice & Study Guide
- Praxis PLT - Grades 7-12 (5624): Practice & Study Guide
- UExcel Cultural Diversity: Study Guide & Test Prep
- ASWB Clinical Exam: Study Guide & Practice
- PLACE Special Education Generalist: Practice & Study Guide
- Psychology 310: Psychology of Personality
- UGC NET Psychology Paper II: Exam Prep
- UGC NET Psychology Paper III: Exam Prep
- AEPA Essential Academic Skills: Practice & Study Guide
- Praxis Gifted Education (5358): Practice & Study Guide
- Holt Psychology Principles in Practice: Online Textbook Help
Browse by Courses
- What is Postpartum Depression? - Definition, Symptoms & Treatment
- What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? - Symptoms & Treatment
- Anger Issues: Symptoms & Causes
- Anger Management Techniques & Therapy
- Borderline Personality Disorder & Relationships
- Quiz & Worksheet - Teaching with Advanced Organizers
- Quiz & Worksheet - Using Wait Time in the Classroom
- Quiz & Worksheet - Classroom Management Techniques
- Quiz & Worksheet - Cooperative and Collaborative Learning in the Classroom
- Quiz & Worksheet - Types of Research Design
- Biological Bases of Behavior in Psychology
- Sensation & Perception in Psychology
- Motivation & Needs in Psychology
- Emotion in Psychology
- Stress in Psychology
Browse by Lessons
- Biology 202L: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
- Biology 201L: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
- California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Supervisors
- California Sexual Harassment Refresher Course: Employees
- Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S.
- Patterns of Human Migration
- Overview of Blood & the Cardiovascular System
- Electrolyte, Water & pH Balance in the Body
- Sexual Reproduction & the Reproductive System
- Nutrition & Metabolism in the Human Body
- How Teachers Can Improve a Student's Hybrid Learning Experience
- How Long is the School Day in Homeschool Programs?
- Types of Hybrid Learning Models During Covid-19
- Creating Routines & Schedules for Your Child's Pandemic Learning Experience
- How to Make the Hybrid Learning Model Effective for Your Child
- What Are Online Homeschools?
- Distance Learning Considerations for English Language Learner (ELL) Students
Latest Courses
- Uncle Vanya by Chekhov: Summary & Characters
- Raccoon Adaptations: Lesson for Kids
- Esperanza Rising Timeline
- Azar in The Things They Carried
- Claim of Right Doctrine, Tax Benefit Rule & Recovery of Capital Doctrine
- Symbols of Redemption in The Kite Runner
- Facilitating Resolution of Ethical Conflicts in Complex Care Situations
- Quiz & Worksheet - Bronze Age Dress
- Quiz & Worksheet - Vanka by Chekhov Synopsis & Analysis
- Quiz & Worksheet - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Animal Quotes
- Quiz & Worksheet - Roman Furniture
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Digital Citizenship | Curriculum, Lessons and Lesson Plans
- What is Differentiated Instruction? | Differentiated Instruction Resources
Latest Lessons
- Algebra I: High School
- High School US History: Homework Help Resource
- High School Algebra II: Help and Review
- History 103: US History I
- Organizational Behavior Textbook
- Settling North America (1497-1732): Homeschool Curriculum
- Understanding Vectors, Matrices & Determinants
- Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics of Orgasm Disorders
- Quiz & Worksheet - Developing Historical Questions
- Quiz & Worksheet - Types of Business Strategies
- Quiz & Worksheet - Types & Phases of Sexual Dysfunction
- Quiz & Worksheet - Commodities Types & Characteristics
Popular Courses
- Forms of Union Agreements
- Orthonormal Bases: Definition & Example
- One Point Perspective Lesson Plan
- STAR Reading Test Scores
- California 8th Grade Science Standards
- Is Spanish Hard to Learn?
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Pass Rates
- Creative Writing Competitions for High School Students
- Fun Math Games for Middle School
- Special Education Resources for Parents
- Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Lesson Plan
- Response to Intervention (RTI) in Georgia
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers
Health and Medicine
- What part of the brain controls emotional intelligence?
- Can the amygdala repair itself?
- What emotions does the amygdala control?
- What is amygdala hijack?
- How does stress affect the amygdala?
- Does the amygdala control fear?
- How can the amygdala be activated?
- What is the role of the amygdala in emotion?
- What does the amygdala regulate?
- Is the amygdala part of the limbic system?
Explore our library of over 83,000 lessons
- Create a Goal
- Create custom courses
- Get your questions answered