Functions Worksheet: Abnormal Psychology

The parietal lobe is located in the middle section of the brain and is associated with processing tactile sensory information such as pressure, touch, and pain.

In addition, the limbic system is responsible for our perception of other emotions, both positive and negative, which explains the mood altering properties of many drugs. The cerebral cortex is divided into areas that control specific functions. Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain, it powers our ability to think, plan, solve problems, and make decisions.

The parietal lobe is the dorsal part of the brain. The sensory cortex is located in this section where sensation and perception is integrated. “This lobe is most commonly associated with its capacity for spatial processing. It is here that external visual, or environment based, coordinates may be translated into internal, or body-based, coordinates and vice versa.”(Stephens PH.D, livestrong.com)

Let’s begin by discussing the parts and function of our brains. The neo cortex is the largest part of the brain and the most important. This part of the brain is divided into four different sections: the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal and the frontal lobe. These four sections are located on either the right or left hemisphere of the brain they are connected by axons that send messages to and fro between both hemispheres and to specific parts of the brain then to the body. Our neo cortex is what makes us so different from our primate cousins.

The occipital lobe is responsible for all things visual. It is located in the cortex and is responsible for the functions of the visual cortex, which is inside of the occipital lobe. Of all the senses, humans rely primarily on their vision and “have proportionally more visual cortex” (pg. 99). The occipital lobe would play its role while playing the game of cards, being able to see the cards I have been dealt and noticing the mannerisms and gestures of my friends.

The six primary structures of the brain are the Brain Stem, the Cerebellum, the Occipital Lobe, the Temporal Lobe, the Parietal Lobe, and the Frontal Lobe. The Brain Stem is underneath the limbic system. It is responsible for the basic functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. The Cerebellum is behind the spinal cord. Its function is coordination for movement, posture, and balance. The Occipital Lobe is at the backside of the brain. Its function is processing visual information, such as color, shape and motion. The Temporal Lobe is over the ears and its function involves hearing, language processing and memory. The Parietal Lobe is at the

“It plays such a vital role in human life that many consider it the essence of life.”(Huffman 70) It contains the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, the occipital lobes and temporal lobes. The Frontal lobes receive signals from the other lobes such as motor control, speech production and other higher functions. The parietal lobes Receive signals for bodily sensations and interpret them. The occipital lobes are responsible for vision. The temporal lobes are responsible for hearing, language, memory and some emotion. All of these parts of the brain conduct essential bodily functions and need to be functioning properly like a

Dopamine limits and selects sensory information from the thalmus. The parietal lobe also deals with movement, along with orientation, recognition, and perception of stimuli. This cortical region is the main sensory area for the sense of touch, major inputs from the skin relay from the thalmus to the parietal lobe. All visual processes are carried out in the occipital lobe (true to its name), and the temporal lobe is associated with perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory and speech. The temporal lobe is responsible for deriving meanings for the appropriate retention of visual memories, language comprehension, and emotional association. Together these areas of the brain control the body through the CNS (central nervous system). Every bodily function needed to sustain life is initiated first through these primary sensory areas, making the brain of course the most important muscle in the

The frontal lobe is near the parietal lobe and is above and in front of the temporal lobe. The frontal lobes are linked to sensory and memory centers throughout the brain. Their primary job is to allow us to think things through and determine how to use information that is located elsewhere in the brain.

Another section of the brain, located in the middle is called the parietal lobe. This lobe, is in charge of processing tactile sensory information. Touch, pain, and pressure are essential to a persons everyday life and without it could lead to naturalistic numbness. A portion of the brain, known as the somatosensory cortex, is located in this major lobe and helps to the stages of processing body senses.

The parietal lobe is responsible for our motor co-ordination; motor impulses to the muscles are

The Thalamus: The Thalamus is located in the centre of the brain, it controls attention span, helps the body to sense pain and keeps track of the sensations that the body can feel.

Occipital lobe: It helps to analyze visual patterns and combines visual images to other sensory experiences for example when one recognizes another person

     The brain is aware of its surroundings, via input from the spinal cord and cranial nerves. Cranial nerves with sensory functions allow us to smell and see. Nerves with both motor and sensory functions are responsible for everything from tasting and chewing, to breathing and the heating of your heart. Many of the little things we take for granted are also made possible by cranial nerves.