Somatic Marker Hypothesis The somatic marker hypothesis (Bechara and Damasio, 2005; Damasio et al., 1991) highlights the importance of emotions in decision mak

Somatic Marker Hypothesis The somatic marker hypothesis (Bechara and Damasio, 2005; Damasio et al., 1991) highlights the importance of emotions in decision making. The hypothesis postulates that reasoned decision making is influenced by biasing signals (somatic markers) arising from changes in the body periphery. First triggered as a reaction to experienced feedback (e.g., increased heart rate or visceral responses), the somatic reactions are assumed to be reactivated in similar decision situations. It is argued that there are primary and secondary inductions of emotional responses. The primary induction can be understood as innate or learned affective responses arising from a confrontation with pleasurable or aversive stimuli. Secondary inducers comprise affective responses induced by the recall of past events or anticipation of future states.