Understanding the Prefrontal Cortex and Its Functions

Medial Dorsal Nucleus

Thalamic nucleus projecting to prefrontal cortex.

Hebb's Findings

Frontal lobe damage showed no IQ change.

Goldstein's Argument

IQ tests miss higher-level cognitive deficits.

Contention Scheduling

Routine behavior selection based on perceptual triggers.

Behavioral Rigidity

Inability to adapt to new rules in tasks.

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

Measures cognitive flexibility and rule-switching ability.

Stuck-in-Set Perseveration

Difficulty inhibiting previously learned schemas.

Utilization Behavior

Inappropriate use of objects despite instructions.

Distractibility

Tendency to be sidetracked by irrelevant stimuli.

Event-Related Potential (ERP)

Brain response measured during attention tasks.

Standard Tones in ERP Study

Short tones used to assess attention focus.

Target Tones in ERP Study

Longer tones indicating focus detection task.

Granular Frontal Cortex

Region involved in higher cognitive functions.

Frontal Lobe Function Debate

Conflicting views on intellectual roles of frontal lobes.

Phineas Gage

Case study illustrating frontal lobe's role in personality.

Patient EVR

Demonstrated impaired organization despite normal IQ.

Luria's Work

Highlighted behaviors sensitive to frontal dysfunction.

SAS Model

Supervisory attentional system for controlled behavior.

Knight et al. Study

Investigated distractibility through ERP measurements.

Frontal Patients in ERP

Showed increased distractibility compared to controls.

Behavioral Rigidity Indicators

Perseveration and distractibility in frontal lobe patients.

Cognitive Skills Assessment

Tests measure routine knowledge, not higher functions.

Conflict with Desires

Frontal lobe damage leads to impulsive behavior.

Capricious Decision Making

Frequent changes in plans without follow-through.

Impaired Supervisory Function

Damage leads to reliance on automatic responses.

Capture Error

Distractibility caused by irrelevant associations.

Norman & Shallice

Developed the SAS model for attentional control.