You're Wired To Take Chances| The split-second journey of a risk
as it travels through the brain by Sara Cann Scientists don't
agree on all the areas of the brain that are involved in risk
assessment, but there is some consensus, including that some
brains are inherently better wired for risk taking. David
Ropeik, a Harvard instructor and author of How Risky Is It,
Really?, breaks down the landscape for this chain reaction. 1.
THALAMUS: THE ASSESSOR When a situation presents itself, the
thalamus is your news reporter. It soaks up the basics - who,
what, where, when, why - and then kicks then info over to the
amygdala. 2. AMYGDALA: THE GUT REACTOR In just a few
milliseconds, your amygdala, which is responsible for emotional
responses, reacts to the situation - and it happens before your
cortex, which is responsible for decision making, has even
gotten the news. You can see where this is going. Reactions
split on gender lines. A University of Southern California study
found that men tend to react with fight or