Somatic Marker Hypothesis

The Somatic Marker Hypothesis was theorized by Dr. Antonio Damasio and stated that emotions guide behavior and decision-makingDamasio, A. (2008). Descartes' error: Emotion, reason and the human brain. Vintage Digital.Damasio, A.R.; Tranel, D.; Damasio, H.C. (1991). "Ch. 11: Somatic markers and the guidance of behaviour: theory and preliminary testing". In Levin, Harvey S.; Eisenberg, Howard M.; Benton, Arthur Lester (eds.). Frontal Lobe Function and Dysfunction. Oxford University Press. pp. 217–229. ISBN 978-0-19-506284-7.. Damasio explained that "somatic markers" are physiological symptoms that are associated with emotions (ex: rapid heartbeat and panic attacks). He goes on to say that when faced with difficult or complex situations or challenges, logic alone may not be sufficient for a person to arrive at a decision, and emotions are considered as a factor in the decision. These somatic symptoms and their associated emotions are then associated with certain outcomes and influence behavior by creating an expectation of certain decision outcomes given the person's current somatic symptoms. Damasio's theory was heavily influenced by the work of William James regarding emotions.Cannon, W. B. (1987). The James-Lange Theory of Emotions: A Critical Examination and an Alternative Theory. The American Journal of Psychology, 100(3/4), 567–586. https://doi.org/10.2307/1422695
The theory was critically evaluated in 2006 and found to be acceptable until further research comes to light.Barnaby D. Dunn, Tim Dalgleish, Andrew D. Lawrence,
The somatic marker hypothesis: A critical evaluation,
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews,
Volume 30, Issue 2,
2006,
Pages 239-271,
ISSN 0149-7634,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.07.001.
Category:Theories
Category:Emotion