Why Emotions Can Overpower Reason: A Psychologist Explains

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KOMPAS.com - In recent cases of violence, many people have wondered how someone can lose control and commit aggressive acts. Humans are known as rational beings capable of thinking and considering consequences. Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Theresia Novi Poespita Candra, S.Psi., M.Si., Ph.D., a psychologist, explains that this condition can occur when emotions take over the control of rational thought processes. In certain situations, the human brain can respond to threats or pressure very quickly, even before logical thinking processes work optimally. The amygdala is the centre of basic emotions, such as fear and anger. This part of the brain functions as an early warning system when someone feels threatened or under pressure. When the amygdala is strongly activated, the body can trigger instinctive responses such as fighting, fleeing, freezing, or going along with the situation (fawn). “The amygdala is the centre of basic emotions such as fear and anger. When someone feels threatened or stressed, this part can dominate and trigger instinctive responses,” Novi said, quoted from ANTARA, Thursday (5/3/2026). On the other hand, humans also have the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that functions to think rationally, make decisions, and control emotions and behaviour. However, if the prefrontal cortex does not work optimally or is not sufficiently trained, a person’s ability to regulate emotions can decline. As a result, the responses that emerge tend to be impulsive and triggered by strong emotions. According to Novi, this condition can be exacerbated by environments that do not train reflective or self-control abilities from an early age. A schooling pattern with minimal dialogue, for example, can make a child less accustomed to expressing feelings in a healthy way or delaying emotional responses.