Ascending from lower life forms, the human brain emerged through the natural selection process from randomly occurring changes to make the brain in which we have today. Three separate brains, the reptilian, mammalian brain, and the neocortex brain all work together to form the “triune” structure of the brain and formed a piece called the neocortex that allow us as humans to have sophisticated cognitive abilities. Paul D. MacLean introduces his evolutionary view of the brain in three stages. The reptilian brain, the primitive is the innermost core that consists of the upper brain stem, basal ganglia and the reticular system, the mammalian brain, which is characterized by the limbic system added new functions and ways in which we control the body, and lastly the neo-cortex brain, with the development of the neocortex, the grey matter is the bulk of the brain introduced by the two symmetrical hemispheres, the left and right (Miller, E. 1974; Reardon, M. 1998). This allows and enables us to act as human beings.
Cognition was in turn gained primarily through motor interactions. All of these experiences, interactions, and opportunities allowed the infant a variety of situations with which to be exposed to, thus providing them with the foundation of symbolism, object permanence, memory and recall by the conclusion of this stage (Broderick & Blewitt). Modern research findings have supported many of Piaget's original thoughts on development (Kuhn, 2008; Monastersky, 2000). However, the stage model for development, discussion on timeframes regarding milestones, and true infantile cognitive abilities have been reviewed and at times heavily modified. The idea of required comprehensive stage based learning is antiquated, with the new perspective of domain specific learning which states that an infant's development is not all inclusive, but that certain domains develop at their own base.
But they have discovered that there are various ways for memories to be formed. The brain itself shapes how we form memories. Memories dealing with fear, love , etc…are called emotional memories. The brain has pathways for processing information that allow us to have emotional reactions before we know to what we are reacting. Emotional feelings reveals when we become consciously alert that an emotion system of the brain is active.
It is still unclear what special qualities of mind set humans apart from other animals. Many things, such as tool use, self-recognition and awareness, problem solving and the ability to understand the passing of time have previously been considered unique to humans, and in some cases closely related primates, but studies have now found other animals demonstrating these abilities. The ability to use tools effectively involves understanding the problem and using the correct tools to find a solution. This requires sophisticated cognitive mechanisms that can be seen to demonstrate consciousness and intelligence, which are two things considered to be important parts of thinking. Similarly, consciousness and intelligence can be inferred from an animal’s ability to remember previous events and use experience to solve problems.
Thomas Willis, considered to be the father of neurology, was one of the first to perceive the notion that the brain was the center of the mind, and in fact, the brain’s parts were the driving force behind cognitive functions. Scientist came to realize the brain controls the workings of a person mind. The processes of perception, emotion, attention, actions take place in a person’s brain. The brain controls a person’s thinking and learning abilities as well as other cognitive areas, such as language. One of the most influential brain injury cases in history was of Phineas Gage.
What Doctor MacLean suggested was that through evolution the brain, along with all of the organs of our body, began to evolve and become more complex. Through this evolution a new brain was formed over the older brain, this continued until we had three brains each responding to the needs humans obtained as they evolved. The first brain we acquired is the Reptilian Brain, also known as the physical brain. The second brain is the Limbic System, or the emotional brain, and the third is the Neocortex, which is your thinking brain. Let’s start with our first brain: the Reptilian Brain.
Additionally he identified that different regions of the brain interact or work together to enable a process. Thus leading to his findings that loss of speech can arise from damage to the front half of the brain Schiller, 1979, cited in Toates, (2010). Geschwind (1972), cited in Toates, (2010), also found that brain regions interact to enable the performance and understanding of speech. His evidence came from an experiment that entailed a participant listening to a sentence and then repeating it. Geschwind concluded that brain interactions were necessary to carry out the instructions.
The human brain can be considered the most complex organ in the human body and also the centrepiece of the nervous system. Although the brain works as a unified whole, neuroscientists can identify areas within it that perform specific functions. Your brain is organized into three interconnected layers: the central core, limbic system and the cerebral cortex, all of which contain structures that regulate everyday life. (The Human Brain, Discovering Psychology) The central core is found in all vertebrates. Its five main regions help regulate basic life processes, including breathing, pulse, arousal, movement, balance and sleep and the early stage of processing sensory information.
The frontal lobe regulates movement and handles language production. The parietal lobe deals with sensations. These two halves communicate by means of a bundle of axons Importance in the Brain 2 called, the corpus callous, and each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body. See, two is better than one. The largest and most important section or Lobe is the Frontal which involves voluntary movement, thinking, personality, and intentionality or purpose.
The Cognitive Learning Theory explains why the brain is the most incredible network of information processing and interpretation in the body as we learn things. This theory can be divided into two specific theories: the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and the Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). When we say the word “learning”, we usually mean “to think using the brain”. This basic concept of learning is the main viewpoint in the Cognitive Learning Theory (CLT). The theory has been used to explain mental processes as they are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which eventually bring about learning in an individual.