Final answer:
The amygdala connects to the hypothalamus and brainstem areas to influence conscious awareness of positive and negative consequences. It is composed of the basolateral complex and the central nucleus, with the former involved in classical conditioning and emotional value attachment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amygdala influences our conscious awareness of positive and negative consequences of events through connections to the hypothalamus and various brainstem areas. It is composed of subnuclei, including the basolateral complex and the central nucleus.
The basolateral complex is critical for classical conditioning and attaching emotional value to learning processes and memory. The central nucleus plays a role in attention and regulates the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems' activity.
When we experience anxiety or fear, the amygdala sends signals to the hypothalamus via the medial forebrain bundle, stimulating the sympathetic fight-or-flight response and the release of stress hormones through the endocrine system.