Emotion and Remembering « 2001 « Articles « LASNews Magazine « Alumni & Friends « College of Liberal Arts & Sciences « University of Illinois

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Psychology

Emotion and Remembering

Emotion-laden or frightening memories aren't easily forgotten. The reason, according to an LAS psychology professor, may have to do with an almond-shaped structure in the forebrain called the amygdala. New research by Michael Gabriel and two colleagues suggests that the amygdala stimulates other areas of the brain to store a memory in response to the amount of emotions associated with it. Acting like an "importance detector," the amygdala weighs the seriousness of an event, says Gabriel, and allocates brain resources accordingly.

Summer 2001