Do Somatic Markers affect Behavior?
As a part of the neocortex, the somato-sensory cortex processes all bodily sensations and creates a specific pattern of neural activity in one of two ways:
- The prefrontal cortex and the insular region direct the body to assume a certain state, which is then mapped by the somato-sensory cortex as a certain pattern of neural activity, or
- The somato-sensory cortex can then create a pattern of neural activity from a mapped (stored) memory that represents a previous emotional and bodily state of being.
A previous emotional and bodily state often arises in response to environmental cues that point to reward or punishment. Associated behaviors can include conformity, obedience and self-preservation.
Behaviors arising from a previous state are often unconsciously experienced, and so may influence our reasoning and decision-making for better, or for worse.
In the same way, somatic markers (patterns of neural activity) influence thoughts, sensations, and behavior in a covert manner. If they need to, they attract our attention via bodily sensations (such as an itch or pain signal), or via neural activity that triggers particular thoughts and feelings.
“I never heard of anyone pulling
a brain muscle while thinking.’
