The neuronal links between the structures and functions of the limbic system allow us to generate a map of the processes that ultimately decide our complex behaviours. This is described below and shown as a flowchart in Figure 2.8.2.

The association cortices of the cerebral cortex receive action potentials as a result of a stimulus. For this example, let’s imagine that the stimulus is a huge plate of fries. The association cortices provide detail and context to the stimulus. So, in our example, the visual association cortex helps us to determine that we are indeed looking at a plate of fries, and not similarly shaped or coloured food that we are also familiar with. The sensory association cortex may also register the temperature of the plate that the fries are on as we carry it.

The association area then sends action potentials to the hippocampus or the amygdala. The hippocampus allows us to remember events and situations that we have personally experienced – this capacity is termed ‘episodic memory’. So, we might remember watching a funny movie with our friends while eating fries, and this positive memory is attached to the stimulus. The amygdala might also receive action potentials and, because it is concerned with instinctive motivational behaviours, it recognises that we are hungry and need to eat. The hippocampus and amygdala then send action potentials to both the hypothalamus and the basal ganglia. The hypothalamus will induce autonomic nervous and endocrine (hormonal) responses to stimulate appetite, while the basal ganglia will contribute to the motor activities involved in actually eating the fries, for example hand and arm movements.