04 The role of the brain in behaviour and mental processes

The hindbrain is often referred to as the ‘brain stem’.

It is located at the base of the brain near the back of the skull.

The hindbrain is responsible for functions that occur without any conscious effort.

• These functions include:
• control of basic autonomic survival functions e.g. heart rate, breathing, sleep and arousal

Coordination of voluntary muscle movements, balance, posture and reflexive actions such as coughing, swallowing and vomiting

The cerebellum is often referred to as the ‘little brain’. helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance by relaying motor information to and from the cerebral cortex

• The medulla:
• relays information between the spinal cord and the brain
• regulates vital involuntary bodily functions e.g. swallowing, digestion, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, vomiting, salivating, coughing, gagging and sneezing) by communicating with the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

The midbrain is a small area of the brain that connects the hindbrain and the forebrain.

The midbrain plays a crucial role in processing information related to hearing, vision, movement, pain, sleep and arousal.

Its systems help to keep us alert, awake and attentive.

The reticular formation is one important structure located in the midbrain.

Stimulates the brain by relaying sensory information, which keeps the cerebral cortex active and alert.

filters incoming sensory information, sorting it into two categories: important and unimportant.

Helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle

The largest, most complex and highly developed region of the brain.

Functions include emotions, motivations, sensations, perceptions, learning, memory and reasoning.

• The forebrain contains three distinct areas:
• - the hypothalamus
• - the thalamus
• - the cerebrum.

maintains homeostasis in the body, the state of internal physiological stability

regulates the release of hormones by connecting the nervous system to the endocrine system

by the release of hormones, influences behaviours associated with basic biological needs, such as hunger, thirst and temperature

controls the brain’s internal ‘body clock’, which helps us coordinate our sleep–wake cycle

Analyses sensory information and relays it to appropriate sensory areas in the cerebral cortex.

Conducts motor signals and relays information from the brain stem to the cortex.

Allows us to automatically focus attention on those stimuli or inputs that are more important, while filtering out unnecessary information.

The thalamus does this by working with the reticular formation.

Coordinates shifts in consciousness such as waking up and falling asleep.

The cerebrum is the largest and most highly developed part of the brain.

The cerebrum’s outer layer is the cerebral cortex, the brain area responsible for higher cognitive functions, voluntary movement, emotions and personality.

The cerebrum can be divided into two parts: the left and right hemispheres