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.