Which of the following best describes how the medial prefrontal cortex is negatively affected by burnout?

• A. Burnout enhances the medial prefrontal cortex's ability to manage stress.
• B. Burnout leads to reduced activity and impaired regulation of emotional responses in the medial prefrontal cortex.
• C. Burnout has no measurable impact on the medial prefrontal cortex.
• D. Burnout causes increased growth of new neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in psychology. The mPFC is involved in regulating emotional responses, decision-making, and managing stress.
2. Step 2: Recognize what burnout is—a state of chronic stress leading to emotional exhaustion, reduced motivation, and impaired cognitive function.
3. Step 3: Connect burnout to brain function by noting that chronic stress can negatively impact brain regions responsible for emotional regulation, such as the mPFC.
4. Step 4: Identify that burnout typically results in reduced activity in the mPFC, which impairs its ability to regulate emotions effectively, leading to difficulties in managing stress.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of burnout's effect on the mPFC is that it leads to reduced activity and impaired regulation of emotional responses, rather than enhancing function or causing growth of new neurons.