The Influence of Brain on Behavior

Core Belief: Biological processes dictate behavior.
- Includes genetics, heredity, brain structure, etc.

Background:
- Phineas Gage was a railroad worker in the 1800s, known as the foreman of his crew.
- Engaged in activities involving the use of a tamping iron to pack gunpowder for blasting rock to clear routes for railroad tracks.
- Gunpowder was ignited causing an explosion.
Incident Details:
- A tamping iron (a long steel pole) accidently shot through Gage's cheek and exited through his forehead.
- Remarkably survived the accident.
- A doctor was able to save him; details on recovery steps were vague (e.g., reference to a "big hole in head").
Behavioral Changes Post-Accident:
- Phineas’s behavior changed dramatically after the incident:
- Previously known as happy, goofy, and well-liked by peers.
- After the accident, he became abusive, cursed frequently, and struggled to get along with others.
- Made very poor decisions, indicating a clear shift in personality and behavior.
Implications:
- His case was pivotal in suggesting that brain function is closely tied to personality and behavior.

Definition:
- Lesions refer to destruction or damage to a part of the brain, which can occur from various causes:
- Physical wounds (e.g., impact injuries from objects like a pipe).
- Diseases requiring surgical removal of parts of the brain.
Effects on Behavior:
- Changes in behavior typically observed following the occurrence of brain lesions.
- This further reinforces the idea that the brain undergoings dramatic changes which influence individual behavior.

The narratives of Phineas Gage and observations of modern brain lesions collectively support the theory that brain function has significant implications for behavior and personality.
Upcoming discussions will explore specific ways the brain influences behavior and attitudes.