Logically, when the amygdala wants to mobilize a behavior-say, fleeing-it talks to the frontal cortex, seeking its executive approval. But if sufficiently aroused, the amygdala talks directly to subcortical, reflexive motor pathways. Again, there's a trade-off-increased speed by by-passing the cortex, but decreased accuracy. Thus the input shortcut may prompt you to see the cell phone as a gun. And the output shortcut may prompt you to pull a trigger before you consciously mean to.
( Robert M. Sapolsky )
[ Behave: The Biology of Humans ]
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