AP Psychology: Brain and Functions

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for voluntary movement and executive functions, such as decision-making, planning, and problem-solving.

Motor Cortex

Converts thoughts into physical actions by coordinating muscle movements.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory perception, including touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Sensory Cortex

Processes information from the senses, such as touch, pain, and body position.

Occipital Lobe

Specialized for visual processing and interpretation.

Temporal Lobe

Handles auditory information, memory formation, and emotions.

Auditory Cortex

Processes and interprets speech and other sounds.

Wernicke’s Area

Responsible for language comprehension and the ability to understand spoken and written language.

Broca’s Area

Controls speech production and articulation.

Cerebellum

Maintains posture, balance, and coordinates voluntary movements.

Brainstem

Regulates vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood flow, and breathing.

Reticular Formation

Regulates alertness, pain modulation, and facial expressions.

Pons

Coordinates pain sensation, balance, and movement.

Visual Cortex

Receives and processes visual information from the eyes.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the two brain hemispheres, facilitating communication, movement coordination, and visual processing.

Thalamus

Processes and relays sensory information from all senses except smell.

Hypothalamus

Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and mood-related functions.

Optic Nerve

Transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain.

Pituitary Gland

Produces and releases hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Medulla

Links the cardiovascular and respiratory systems for overall regulation.

Olfactory Bulb

Processes and transmits information about smells.

Hippocampus

Essential for memory formation and learning.

Prefrontal Cortex

Manages higher cognitive functions such as reasoning, decision-making, and self-control.