somatic marker hypothesis

The somatic marker hypothesis suggests that our emotions and bodily responses help guide our decisions. When facing a choice, previous experiences create physical feelings—like a gut instinct or a racing heart—that signal whether a decision feels right or wrong. These "somatic markers" act as mental shortcuts, helping us quickly evaluate risks and benefits based on past emotional reactions. This process helps us make more adaptive decisions, especially in complex or uncertain situations, by linking emotional signals with reasoning to steer us toward better outcomes.