1. Brain Structure and Function

2. Main Parts of the Brain
The brain is made of three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.
The forebrain consists of the cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus (part of the limbic system). The midbrain consists of the tectum and
tegmentum. The hindbrain is
made of the cerebellum, pons
and medulla.

3. Functions
Forebrain plays a central role in the processing of information related to complex cognitive activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities. Midbrain is a portion of the central nervous system associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, alertness, and temperature regulation. The hindbrain controls the body’s vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.

4. Parts of the Brain
amygdala
hippocampus
pituitary

5. The Cerebellum Helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance
the “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem, cerebellum actually means little brain.
Also helps involved in nonverbal learning and memory (will discuss in later chapters), if you injured your cerebellum you would have difficulty walking, keeping your balance, shaking hands.
Note: these lower brain functions occur without any conscious effort.

6. The Cerebral Cortex Cerebral Cortex
the body’s ultimate control and information processing center
the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres

7. The lobes of the cerebral hemispheres
Planning, decision making speech
Sensory
Figure page 110
The lobes of the cerebral hemispheres: parietal, occipital, temporal, and frontal.
Vision
Auditory

8. Hemispheric Specialization
LEFT
Symbolic thinking
(Language)
Detail
Literal meaning
RIGHT
Spatial perception
Overall picture
Context, metaphor

9. Left Brain Dominant You probably work with a daily task list
You like to be the critic in class
You feel you're naturally good at math or science
You are rational and logical
Your research is precise and well-documented
You set goals for yourself
You can interpret information well
Your room is tidy
You can answer questions spontaneously
You follow directions and you do read directions (unlike some people)
You aren't touchy-feely

10. Right Brain Dominant Be shown rather than told how to do a task.
Solve problems by looking at similarities and patterns.
Draw rather than write.
Physically handle objects.
Answer open-ended questions rather than multiple choice tests.
Discuss topics.
Assimilate whole chunks of information rather than break them down into discrete facts.

11. Contra-lateral division of labor
Right hemisphere controls left side of body and visual field
Left hemisphere controls right side of body and visual field