The amygdala and decision-making

▶ The amygdala is a critical component of a neural network involved in decision-making. ▶ Involved in triggering autonomic responses to emotional stimuli (e.g., reward and punishment). ▶ These autonomic “somatic marker” type cues help guide future decision-making. ▶ Amygdala damage impairs decision-making as these autonomic cues are not initially produced. ▶ Evidence for an interaction between sex and laterality of amygdala functioning.