Burrnett et al. found guilt activates which brain area?

• A. Prefrontal cortex
• B. Amygdala
• C. Occipital lobe
• D. Cerebellum

Answer: (A)

Guilt is a self-conscious, morally charged emotion that relies on evaluating one’s actions against social norms and considering the impact on others. This kind of processing engages the prefrontal cortex, especially regions tied to moral reasoning, self-reflection, and emotion regulation. In Burnett and colleagues’ work, imaging showed increased activation in the prefrontal cortex when people felt guilty, signaling that this area underpins the cognitive appraisal and control involved in experiencing guilt. The other regions listed are more associated with basic emotional arousal (amygdala), visual processing (occipital lobe), or motor coordination (cerebellum), which don’t fit guilt as neatly as the prefrontal cortex does.