8/30/2021
Brain functioning of basic
activities
PSYC1009
Words: 1123
Talia Liebovitz 2455766
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
, The brain is the body's most complex organ. It is the source of all of our thoughts, actions,
memories, feelings, and experiences. Many people tend to overlook or rather don't consider
the incredible processes the brain goes through even during everyday activities. By
considering every function of the brain, we can see how our actions are constantly being
internally monitored (Desrochers et al., 2015). Through this essay, I will examine the
physical and cognitive aspects of the act of walking through a mall and engaging with a
friend. Further I will explain the effects of brain damage on these activities.
When we take the brain we can see that it is broken up into 3 areas, including the hindbrain,
midbrain, and the forebrain. In order to even enter a shopping mall, there is the need to
foremost be standing, awake, and alive. This is where the hindbrain comes in as the medulla
oblongata, being the first structure in the transition from the spinal cord to the brain, is
responsible for these involuntary behaviours (Swartz et al., 2016). Directly above this, acting
as a relay station, and enabling the ability to be awake and conscious, is the pons (Holt et
al., 2012). The reticular formation plays the same role (Ackerman, 1992). Getting to the mall,
and once inside, the action of walking, coordinated movement, balance and posture is
needed. Although walking is something that comes naturally from a young age, the hindbrain
structures are responsible for the majority of the process (Ackerman, 1992).
The structures of the midbrain regulate the process of knowing and seeing where to go,
reading and interpreting shop names, and being aware of other surrounding people. This is
due to the midbrain's involvement in sensory processes such as identifying objects in space
and calculating appropriate responses to environmental stimuli (Britannica, 2020). The
colliculi are the structures that aid in the detection of another person. So, when a friend is
spotted in the mall, the inferior Colliculus, which works with auditory stimuli, and the superior
Colliculus, which works with visual stimuli, begin functioning as the nerves begin to come in,
allowing the friend to be recognized (Oliver & Huerta, 1992).
Once noticing a familiar face, the structures of our forebrain are used as they are
responsible for most thoughts and high level processing (Swartz et al., 2016). The forebrain
comprises of the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and the cerebrum.
The limbic system is made up of a few structures that are involved in emotion, memory,
learning and motivation (Swartz et al., 2016). If there is a realisation that communication with
this friend has been scarce, fear begins to rise (perhaps over them not wanting to talk) due
to the amygdala as it regulates emotion and memory supported by the hippocampus
(Zimbardo & Gerrig, 2008). Aside from smell, our senses are all routed through the thalamus
before being sent to other parts of the brain for processing, having a role in emotion,
Brain functioning of basic
activities
PSYC1009
Words: 1123
Talia Liebovitz 2455766
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
, The brain is the body's most complex organ. It is the source of all of our thoughts, actions,
memories, feelings, and experiences. Many people tend to overlook or rather don't consider
the incredible processes the brain goes through even during everyday activities. By
considering every function of the brain, we can see how our actions are constantly being
internally monitored (Desrochers et al., 2015). Through this essay, I will examine the
physical and cognitive aspects of the act of walking through a mall and engaging with a
friend. Further I will explain the effects of brain damage on these activities.
When we take the brain we can see that it is broken up into 3 areas, including the hindbrain,
midbrain, and the forebrain. In order to even enter a shopping mall, there is the need to
foremost be standing, awake, and alive. This is where the hindbrain comes in as the medulla
oblongata, being the first structure in the transition from the spinal cord to the brain, is
responsible for these involuntary behaviours (Swartz et al., 2016). Directly above this, acting
as a relay station, and enabling the ability to be awake and conscious, is the pons (Holt et
al., 2012). The reticular formation plays the same role (Ackerman, 1992). Getting to the mall,
and once inside, the action of walking, coordinated movement, balance and posture is
needed. Although walking is something that comes naturally from a young age, the hindbrain
structures are responsible for the majority of the process (Ackerman, 1992).
The structures of the midbrain regulate the process of knowing and seeing where to go,
reading and interpreting shop names, and being aware of other surrounding people. This is
due to the midbrain's involvement in sensory processes such as identifying objects in space
and calculating appropriate responses to environmental stimuli (Britannica, 2020). The
colliculi are the structures that aid in the detection of another person. So, when a friend is
spotted in the mall, the inferior Colliculus, which works with auditory stimuli, and the superior
Colliculus, which works with visual stimuli, begin functioning as the nerves begin to come in,
allowing the friend to be recognized (Oliver & Huerta, 1992).
Once noticing a familiar face, the structures of our forebrain are used as they are
responsible for most thoughts and high level processing (Swartz et al., 2016). The forebrain
comprises of the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and the cerebrum.
The limbic system is made up of a few structures that are involved in emotion, memory,
learning and motivation (Swartz et al., 2016). If there is a realisation that communication with
this friend has been scarce, fear begins to rise (perhaps over them not wanting to talk) due
to the amygdala as it regulates emotion and memory supported by the hippocampus
(Zimbardo & Gerrig, 2008). Aside from smell, our senses are all routed through the thalamus
before being sent to other parts of the brain for processing, having a role in emotion,
