BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
NOTE (4)
Forebrain Structures and functions
Cerebral cortex – Extensive, wrinkled outer layer of the forebrain that governs higher brain
functions, such as thinking, learning, and consciousness. The cerebral cortex has four lobes –
occipital, parietal, temporal, and frontal lobe. It also includes the Primary motor cortex and the
Primary Somatosensory cortex.
Functions
Frontal Lobe – It’s the decision making part of the brain; it’s known as the working memory,
and the planning and organization of movement.
Primary motor cortex - This part of the cortex is responsible for Fine motor control, in other
words using your hands and fingers.
Primary Somatosensory cortex – In this area cells are sensitive to touch in different parts of the
body.
Parietal lobe – Body senses eg touch, pain, and temperature.
Occipital lobe – Vision
Temporal lobe – Responsible for hearing, some aspects of vision, and processing emotions, for
example the emotions that are seen on one’s face.
Broca’s area, found in the frontal lobe – arranges words into meaningful sentences.
Wernicke’s area, found in the temporal lobe – speaking coherent sentences and understanding
speech.
Broca’s aphasia – a person cannot speak in fluent sentences, but can understand written and
words.
Wernicks’s aphasia – problems in understanding spoken or written words and putting words
into meaningful sentences.
Thalamus – Relays information between lower and higher brain centers.
Hypothalamus – Governs eating, drinking, and sex; its plays a role in emotion and stress.
Pituitary – Governs the endocrine system, which are the organs in the body that produce
hormones.
Midbrain Structure:
Reticular formation – They house the neurons that control walking and sleeping.
Hindbrain Structure:
Pons – Governs sleep and arousal
Medulla – Governs breathing and reflexes
Cerebellum – Rounded structure involved in motor behaviour.
Hippocampus – memories, putting them into storage.
Amygdala – facial expression