Brain Structures

Amygdala

Helps detect threats and emotionally important stimuli, especially fear.

Hypothalamus

Helps regulate homeostasis and basic phys needs

Hippocampus

Important for memory, especially contexts and experiences.

Nucleus accumbens

Helps process reward, motivation, and reward seeking behavior.

VTA

Produces dopamine neurons important for reward, motivation, and learning.

Basal ganglia

Movement, habits, and reward related behavior.

Thalamus

Major communication station, sends sensory info to other brain areas.

Prefrontal cortex

Planning, decision making, goal setting, and self control.

Orbitofrontal cortex

Evaluate rewards, punishments, and consequences when making decisions.

Anterior cingulate

Helps monitor conflict, errors, effort, and the need for control.

Insula

Internal body sensations and emotional awareness.

Frontal lobe damage

Poorer planning, decision-making, impulse control, and self-control