Brain Pathways described in EI:

(See your handout for pictures; see also EI Ch. 2 & Appendices)

Thalamus: Relay station for information from the sensory systems. Information goes from thalamus to the cortex for processing.

Amygdala: specialize in emotional memory--the emotional qualities associated with a particular memory. Located in subcortical areas inside the temporal lobes.

Hippocampus: narrative memory and context.

Frontal (prefrontal is just another word for frontal) lobes: planning & organizing actions and responses, including emotional responses.

Double pathways from thalamus to frontal cortex and direct to amygdala mean that you can have an emotional response (mediated by the amygdala) BEFORE the thinking cortex has a chance to process the information.