Lauren jumps with fear as she feels a hand on her shoulder while walking on a deserted path across campus. Her fear evaporates when she hears her boyfriend's voice saying, "What are you doing out so late, Lauren?" What brain structure played a key role when Lauren's fear evaporated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including the processing of sensory information and the control of voluntary movement. When Lauren's fear evaporated, it was because her cerebral cortex processed the information that the hand on her shoulder belonged to her boyfriend, and that there was no danger.

Lauren Jumps with Fear as She Feels a Hand on Her