The amygdala is primarily associated with which of the following functions?

The amygdala is primarily associated with emotion, particularly the processing and regulation of emotional responses such as fear, anger, and pleasure. This small, almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobes plays a crucial role in the experience of emotions and is vital for emotional learning and memory. For example, the amygdala helps to detect and respond to threats in the environment, triggering appropriate emotional responses that can influence behavior.

While the other options relate to significant functions within the brain, they do not align with the core role of the amygdala. Hearing is more closely associated with the auditory cortex, memory is primarily managed by structures like the hippocampus, and motor skills are largely governed by the motor cortex and cerebellum. Understanding the amygdala's function in emotional responses highlights its importance in overall brain function and behavior.