Parts of the Brain & Their Functions

GRHS | AP Psychology

frontal lobe

directs voluntary movements, decision-making, abstract reasoning, and personality

temporal lobe

processes auditory information, forms memories, comprehends language, and interpreting emotions

parietal lobe

processes sensory information related to touch, temperature, pain, and spatial orientation

occipital lobe

receives and interprets visual signals from the eyes such as shape, color, and motion

hippocampus

converts new explicit information into lasting long-term memories

amygdala

regulates primary emotional reactions, particularly fear, anger, and threat perception

hypothalamus

maintains internal balance by governing biological drives such as hunger, thirst, temperature, and endocrine activity

thalamus

acts as the sensory switchboard, directing incoming sensory signals (except smell) to appropriate cortical areas.

cerebellum

coordinates voluntary muscle movements, posture, physical balance, and procedural memory

medulla

controls vital autonomic reflexes necessary for survival, including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

reticular formation

filters sensory input to regulate alertness, arousal, and sleep-wake transitions

corpus callosum

carries nerve signals back and forth to allow communication between the left and right cerebral hemispheres

pineal gland

secretes melatonin and plays a huge part in your ability to sleep

pituitary gland

acts as the “master gland” of the endocrine system, releasing growth hormone and signaling other glands to release hormones

pons

relays signals between the cortex and cerebellum, coordinates movement, and helps regulate sleep and dreaming