Question

One key advantage of having two pathways for processing incoming fearful stimuli is that the "high road" pathway, which involves activation of the cortex and hippocampus, enables_______ reactions to fearful stimuli that threaten us.

a) Slow and deliberative
b) Automatic and rapid
c) Emotional and instinctive
d) Sensory and motor

Answer 1

The 'high road' pathway involving the cortex and hippocampus allows for slow and deliberative reactions to fearful stimuli, enabling more thoughtful and reasoned responses to threats. a) Slow and deliberative

Step-by-step explanation:

The "high road" pathway for processing fearful stimuli, which involves the activation of the cortex and hippocampus, enables slow and deliberative reactions to threats.

When dealing with fear, our brains can process this emotion in two ways: one being the fast and automatic 'low road,' going straight from the thalamus to the amygdala, and the other, the 'high road,' involving a more complex pathway. The 'high road' employs cortical processing, which allows for a more thought-out response, engaging the hippocampus for contextual memory integration and the cortex for a deeper evaluation of the fearful stimulus. This means we not only react quickly to danger but also can assess and respond in a more reasoned manner if time allows.

This advanced reaction is crucial because it combines both immediate survival instincts and higher-level assessment, providing a flexible and appropriate response to threats.