Nevertheless, some psychologists and philosophers reject the cognitive appraisal approach in
favor of the claim that emotions consist merely of bodily perceptions. The body is undeniably an
important part of people's emotions, as is especially evident in negative emotions such as fear.
Suppose you suddenly hear that someone you care about has been in a serious car accident. Your
body will undergo dramatic changes, including increases in heartbeat, breathing rates, blood
pressure, and circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Such physiological changes are sensed
by the body and communicated to brain areas such as the amygdala and the insula.