Somatic marker hypothesis

/soʊˈmæt.ɪk ˈmɑːɹ.kɚ haɪˈpɒθ.ɪ.sɪs/ noun

Definition

Antonio Damasio's theory that emotional bodily signals (somatic markers) guide decision-making by associating outcomes with physiological states.

Etymology

From Greek 'somatikos' (of the body) + 'marker' + 'hypothesis.' Body markers that guide decisions. Proposed by Damasio in 1994.

Kelly Says

The somatic marker hypothesis says your gut feelings are REAL decision tools — your body remembers past emotional outcomes and uses them to guide future choices.

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