THE POWERS OF THE MIND

The structure of the human brain influences our perception, cognition, and behavior. To
understand how the brain works, a basic knowledge of the parts of the brain should be
considered.
 

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the student will be able to:
a) discuss that understanding the left and right brain may help in improving one’s
learning
b) explore the different parts of the brain and their functions
c) differentiate the different brain-related disorders

DISCUSSION
THE BRAIN AND ITS PARTS
 The Brain

-The brain is one complex part of our body system. It is said that all functions of the
human body are communicated by the brain.
-It is sponge-like structure which is pink-gray in color. The brain weighs 3lbs, and most
of its weight come form the cerebral cortex.
*** The Nervous System is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages
to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body.
- The brain has 2 hemispheres. These two halves are joined by the corpus callosum.
This is a bundle of more than 200 million nerve fibers which transmit data from one
hemisphere to the other so that the two halves can communicate.

Theories about the Brain

1. Brain Dominance Theory (fueled by the  Split Brain Research  of Dr. Roger Sperry. This
research shows that each of the hemispheres is associated with certain brain functions)
- This theory suggests that learning styles and information-processing of the left-brain
and right brain hemispheres are different.
- Individuals whose left-brain is more dominant prefer analysis and inductive reasoning,
logic, reasoning and language, while those whose right-brain is more dominant prefer
spatial relationships, art, imagination and personal memories (Siegel & Bryson, 2011)
2. The Triune Brain Theory
According to Dr. Paul MacLean the brain is divided into 3 parts:

A. The NEOCORTEX or Rational Brain – responsible for intellectual tasks

Cerebrum -The largest division of the brain; it is divided into two hemispheres, each of
which is divided into four lobes; the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, parietal lobe and
occipital lobe.
Frontal Lobe
- This part is responsible for the formation of memory, emotions, decision making,
reasoning, personality, and functions related to speech.
- It is where the primary motor area is located and it controls voluntary movement in
a contralateral manner (left side controls the right side of the body, and vice versa).
- Damage to the frontal lobe may cause:

 back part – weakness or paralysis

 middle part – become apathetic, inattentive, and unmotivated
 middle back part of the left frontal lobe (Broca area) – Broca’s (expressive)
aphasia.
 Front part – A striking lack of inhibition, including socially inappropriate
behavior

Parietal Lobe
 - This part contains the primary sensory auditory area which processes sensory
signals such as touch, pressure, pain, thermal sense, and sense of body movements.
- If damaged, the person may experience difficulty in identifying a sensation’s location
and type (pain, heat, cold, or vibration), and recognizing objects by touch.
Occipital Lobe
-This part contains the primary visual area which receives visual signals from the
thalamus and processes visual sensations.
- If damaged, the person will have difficulty recognizing objects by sight
Temporal Lobes
-This part contains the primary auditory area, in charge of hearing, processing auditory
stimuli, organization/comprehension of language and information retrieval
- If damaged, the memory for words can be drastically impaired
 
B. The LIMBIC SYSTEM or Intermediate Brain – responsible for motivation and emotion
involved in feeding, reproductive and parental behavior.

Hypothalamus
- eating
- drinking
- body temperature
- helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland
- linked to emotion
Amygdala
- two almond-shaped neural clusters
- Responsible for the response and memory of emotions, especially fear
Thalamus

 the brain’s sensory switchboard

 it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits
replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Hippocampus

 associated mainly with memory, in particular long-term memory

 
III. The REPTILIAN COMPLEX or Primitive brain – controls self-preservation and
aggressive behavior of humans such as survival instinct.
Hindbrain (“brain stem”)

1. Cerebellum – coordinates muscle movement with input from our sense.

2. Medulla – controls breathing, heart rate and digestion.

Midbrain – emotions, and formation of long-term memory.

1. Reticular Formation –keeps us awake, aware and alert.

2. Thalamus – where sensory information pass before reaching and being
processed at the cerebral cortex.

 
BRAIN-RELATED DISORDERS

1. Amnesia – a form of memory loss

Retrograde amnesia
- you lose existing, previously made memories.
Anterograde amnesia
- you can’t form new memories

2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (a

problem related to brain development) that causes hyperactivity, impulsive ehavior, and
attention problems.

3. Autism
  classified as one of the pervasive developmental disorders of the brain.
 three types of symptoms: impaired social interaction, problems with verbal
and nonverbal communication, and unusual or severely limited activities and
interests.

3. Dementia

- a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Memory loss is an example.
****Alzheimer’s Disease
-     Most common type of dementia

 Difficulty remembering recent conversations, names or events is often an

early clinical symptom;
 apathy and depression are also often early symptoms.
 Later symptoms include impaired communication, poor judgment,
disorientation, confusion, behavior changes and difficulty speaking,
swallowing and walking.

4. Parkinson’s Disease

- a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects the control of body

movements.
- trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face;
- rigidity or stiffness of the limbs or trunk;
- slowness of body movements;
- unstable posture and difficulty in walking.
-It happens when the neurons (nerve cells) that normally produce dopamine in the brain
gradually die.

5. Stroke

- happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel (artery) and interrupts blood flow to
the brain region or when a blood vessel breaks leading to the bleeding of an area of the
brain.
Aneurysm
Cerebral aneurysm is a common disorder caused by a weakness in the wall of a brain
artery.
Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm is very dangerous
= Sudden death
= recurrent bleeding
= hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation in the brain of cerebrospinal fluid),
= vasospasm (delayed narrowing of the arteries)