Frontal Lobes and Their Functions

Flashcards covering the anatomy, functions, and effects of damage to the frontal lobe, including motor function, cognition, response inhibition, and personality.

Frontal Lobe Anatomy

Includes the motor cortex, premotor cortex, and prefrontal cortex. Also includes the orbitofrontal cortex

Impairments in Motor Function

Loss of fine movements, speed, and strength; Broca's Aphasia.

Effects of Damage to the Prefrontal Cortex

May show impairments in IQ, specifically in divergent vs convergent tests.

Word Fluency Test

A test used to assess divergent thinking and word retrieval abilities.

Design Fluency Test

A test used to assess divergent thinking, involving the generation of unique designs.

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

A test used to assess response inhibition.

Stroop Interference Test

A test used to assess response inhibition, involving conflicting color and word stimuli.

Environmental Dependency Syndrome

A syndrome characterized by imitation and utilization behaviors triggered by environmental cues.

Imitation Behaviour

Copying the behaviors of others.

Utilization Behaviour

Using objects in the environment without being instructed to do so.

Changes in Personality due to Frontal Lobe Damage

Radical personality changes, as exemplified by Phineas Gage, including increased impulsivity, profanity, and a lack of social decorum.