COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE: HOW SPECIFIC BRAIN STRUCTURES CAUSE CERTAIN BEHAVIOR/S

             After reviewing several different articles and books about cognitive neuroscience, I chose to discuss one that addressed how specific brain structures cause certain behavior/s. According to (Lezak, Howieson & Loring. 2004), “the brain is an intricately patterned complex of small and delicate structures. Three major anatomical divisions of the brain succeed one another along the brain stem: the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain” (p. 42). Behavior can then be determined based on how information is processed and flows through structures within these divisions. Some of these structures are also as follows:

RAS - This is known as the reticular activating system and it is located in the midbrain. Its function is to control one’s level of wakefulness and alertness so an individual has the ability to react to certain stimuli.  

Thalamus - This is located at the top of the brain stem and it is responsible for relaying sensory messages and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, while also regulating ones consciousness, alertness, and sleep.

Hypothalamus - This is located under the thalamus. Its main function is to regulate things like emotions, hunger, sex drive, thirst and many other major drives.

Amygdala - This includes two almond-shaped masses of neurons that are located on each side of the thalamus. Their primary function is associated with regulation of certain emotions, like anger or fear. This is also a very important part of individual brain structure because if people and animals didn’t have these, they may not be affected by certain stimuli that would normally be frightening, personally threatening or dangerous.

Cerebellum - This is located at the base of the brain, directly behind the brainstem. Its main function is to maintain balance and coordination of complex movements, along with controlling certain responses associated with perception and cognition, like pleasure and fear.

Somatosensory Cortex - This is located in the midbrain and it processes information when affected by various systems in the body that are sensitive to touch. This sensitivity can include pain, temperature, and the proprioception system. It is also highly sensitive which allows people to detect and interpret a large variety of sensations.

Frontal Lobes - The main function of these is to receive and coordinate messages from other lobes, regulate motor control, speech and other higher functions.

What Does This Tell Us About Brain Structures and Human Behavior/s?

After reading this previous research, one thing that I have learned is that all behaviors are exhibited based on different structures within our brain. A second thing is that the brain is way more complex than I had initially realized. While, a third thing that I have learned is that several psychological/physical behaviors would not occur if it wasn’t for these structures and that they can diminish or be altered when these structures are damaged.

Conclusion

Although, this article was very thorough and extremely informative, I believe that further research should be conducted. This is because the article could not determine all of the affects that individual brain structures have on human behavior/s. Therefore, I am confident that further research may uncover even more evidence to prove how brain structures and human behavior/s are related. This process can also be completed by identifying further correlations among these two factors.   

Reference:

Lezak, M., Howieson, D., & Loring, D. (2004). Neuropsychological Assessment (4^th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.