Cathy Moyer-Larsen
Role of Brain in Cognitive Functions
Cognitive brain functions enable the ability of the brain to attain information in a meaningful way. Cognitive psychology is what happens in the mind. Two important conditions concerning the ability to use cognitive brain functions is the current mood and health (Willingham, 2007). Cognitive functions originate in the part of the brain called the cerebrum. Majority of brain mass is in the cerebral cortex or cerebrum (Willingham, 2007).
The occipital, parietal, temporal and frontal lobes make up the cerebrum (Willingham, 2007). Signals that are sent from different areas of the brain are cognitive functions which rely on neurotransmitters that process and coordinate (Willingham, 2007). In the late 50’s and early 60’s what was known as the Cultural Revolution was right in line with the development of the computer (Yagi, 2000). Researching internal events, not just observable information, was one reason the computer has become so important. How people think, perceive, remember, and learn is a process that is associated with the mental studies of psychology that is a branch of cognitive psychology (Yagi, 2000). The human brain is very multifaceted and it determines particular behaviors (Yagi, 2000). The brain also holds mysteries referred to as human consciousness. Many centuries of evolution were responsible for the creation of cognitive operations in connection with continued mysteries of the human brain (Willingham, 2007). Specific functioning and behavior are controlled by both left and right sides of the brain. Visual imagery, attitudes, capabilities, and recognition are controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain (Willingham, 2007). The left side of the brain is responsible for the interpretation of information and the ability to solve problems (Willingham, 2007).
This period of time is sometimes referred to the “cognitive revolution” (Weisman, 2008). A
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