Psychology / Unit 2: The Brain and Behavior
2.4 Brain Structures
Notes
The brain has three major regions with specialized jobs.
- Hindbrain: the medulla (heartbeat, breathing), cerebellum (balance and coordinated movement), pons (links parts of the brain, sleep).
- Midbrain: relays sensory and motor information.
- Forebrain includes the thalamus (sensory relay station), hypothalamus (hunger, thirst, body temperature), amygdala (emotion, especially fear), hippocampus (forming new memories).
- The cerebral cortex is the wrinkled outer layer for thinking. Its four lobes: frontal (planning, decisions, movement), parietal (touch, body position), temporal (hearing, language understanding), occipital (vision).
- The two hemispheres are linked by the corpus callosum. Functions are spread across both sides, though language is mostly handled on the left in most people. The idea that people are "left-brained" or "right-brained" is a myth.
Practice
A person damages the part of the brain that controls vision. Which lobe is most likely affected?
The occipital lobe, at the back of the head, processes visual information.
Which structure is most involved in forming new memories?
The hippocampus helps turn experiences into long-term memories.
Marcus is learning to ride a bike and his balance improves with practice. Which brain structure helps coordinate this?
The cerebellum controls balance and smooth movement.
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