Anatomy & Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex

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Questions and Answers

What tool was Gage using when the accident occurred?

A tamping iron (correct)

A drill

A pickaxe

A shovel

What happened to Gage immediately after the explosion?

He walked over to an ox-cart (correct)

He lost consciousness

He called for help

He fell to the ground

How long did Gage wait for the doctor after the accident?

1 hour

10 minutes

30 minutes (correct)

20 minutes

What was Gage's reaction when the doctor arrived?

He greeted the doctor with a remark about his injury Signup and view all the answers

What position did Gage hold before the accident?

A foreman Signup and view all the answers

What change in Gage's employability occurred after the injury?

He was considered unemployable Signup and view all the answers

How was Gage described by others after his injury?

No longer Gage Signup and view all the answers

What physical evidence indicated the severity of Gage's injury?

The tamping iron landing behind him Signup and view all the answers

What type of processes are influenced by environmental factors when making decisions?

Bottom-up processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affects whether a person will eat a cream cake?

Their level of hunger Signup and view all the answers

Approximately what fraction of the cortical volume in humans is occupied by the frontal cortex?

One-third Signup and view all the answers

How will the chapter mentioned in the content approach the discussion of the prefrontal cortex?

From the perspective of performing complex tasks Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the evolution of the frontal cortex as illustrated in the provided figure?

It has undergone significant enlargement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the interaction of influences in decision-making?

They arise from both environmental and internal motivational factors. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the prefrontal cortex has NOT been discussed in previous chapters mentioned?

Decision-making Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be considered a top-down process in decision-making?

Feeling stressed about food intake Signup and view all the answers

What best defines executive functions of the brain?

The complex processes optimizing performance in cognitive tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Which metaphor is used to describe the role of executive functions in the brain?

The brain’s conductor. Signup and view all the answers

In what way are executive functions characterized in the context of cognitive processes?

They play a meta-cognitive, supervisory role. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the brain does the anterior cingulate specifically regulate within executive functions?

Control and regulation of cognitive tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of executive functions concerning cognitive tasks?

To optimize performance across various cognitive processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a cognitive domain that executive functions operate within?

Emotional regulation. Signup and view all the answers

How do executive functions relate to other regions of the brain?

They instruct and coordinate the activities of other regions. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the organization of executive functions?

It supports various cognitive domains in a non-linear manner. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary requirement of executive functions according to many models?

Flexible processing to override automatic behavior Signup and view all the answers

How do executive functions influence behavior?

They create a biasing influence on behavior likelihood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of executive functions?

Performing tasks without any cognitive flexibility Signup and view all the answers

What commonality do many approaches to executive functions emphasize?

The agreement on core principles regarding processing Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction among different models of executive function?

The assumption of the extent of executive function control Signup and view all the answers

What is typically involved in most task-switching experiments?

Both switching of response rules and stimulus selected Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cognitive processes and brain regions, which area is associated with the reassignment of stimulus-response pairings?

Medial frontal lobes (pre-SMA region) Signup and view all the answers

What distinction did Rushworth et al. (2002) primarily investigate in their study on cognitive processes?

The switching mechanisms involved in tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive function is related to the lateral frontal regions during task-switching?

Selection of the current rule Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates the types of switches that can occur in task-switching experiments?

Switching from responding to letters to digits Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging to link specific brain regions to cognitive processes?

Because brain regions do not function independently Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation when analyzing switching mechanisms in cognitive tasks?

Difficulty in controlling for individual differences in attentional focus Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cognitive tasks can be switched according to the description provided?

Both response rules and selected stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anatomical and Functional Divisions of the Prefrontal Cortex

Executive functions are crucial for optimizing performance in complex situations.
They are often conceptualized as the brain's conductor, coordinating cognitive processes.
The prefrontal cortex is a key brain area involved in executive functions.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for meta-cognitive, supervisory, or controlling roles in cognitive processes.
Decisions are influenced by both bottom-up (environmental) and top-down (motivational) processes.

Executive Functions in Practice

The case of Phineas Gage demonstrates the impact of prefrontal cortex damage on executive functions.
Gage's injury involved a tamping iron penetrating his frontal lobe, causing significant personality and behavioral changes.
The prefrontal cortex is involved in planning, inhibition, working memory, and task switching.
The brain is able to make certain behaviors more or less likely by influencing the cognitive processes involved in those behaviors.

The Organization of Executive Functions

There are multiple models explaining executive function.
Most models suggest that executive functions require flexible processing to override automatic behaviors and switch between tasks.
They emphasize the importance of holding multiple goals in mind while engaging in specific tasks.
The extent to which different models propose a hierarchical system in executive function remains a point of discussion.

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Description

Explore the critical role of the prefrontal cortex in executive functions, including its influence on decision-making and cognitive processes. Learn through the case of Phineas Gage how damage to this brain area can alter personality and behavior, highlighting its importance in planning, memory, and task management.