Psychology

Cognition refers to a wide range of high level brain activities examples of which are the ability to learn, organize, remember, focus, problem-solve, understand, shift attention as necessary, perform calculations, perceive the environment accurately and the ability to effectively use a language. Cognitive functions therefore refer to those processes that enable the effective performance of the various brain activities. Mosbys medical dictionary defines cognitive function as the process by which an individual becomes aware of, comprehend ideas or perceive something. The dictionary of modern medicine (McGraw Hill) defines cognitive functions as mental processes that requires and involves symbolic operations such as memory, creation of imagery, perception and thinking.  Two major theories have in the past been used to describe cognitive function of the brain.  The oldest theory, phrenology asserted that personality traits and all cognitive abilities had specific unique parts in the brain from which they were controlled separately (IFC, 2009). This theory has however been discarded for failing to explain a myriad of observations concerning the brain.  The modern idea used to explain cognitive functioning of the brain is the notion that all cognitive functions occur in the cerebral cortex. The cortex functions as a whole implying that any part of the cortex can substitute the functions of another part.  This idea also postulated that if the cortex is damaged, the effect on cognitive functions would occur due to the extent of the damage rather than on the exact part of the cortex damaged.

Different parts of the brain are specialized to do specific functions. For instance, the brainstem found at the lower extension of the brain (where the brain connects to the spinal chord) specializes on functions necessary for survival such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and digestion.)  The cerebellum which is the back portion of the brain specializes in locomotion coordination through muscle and balance coordination (Johnson, 2002). The occipital lobe located at the back region of the brain is responsible for processing visual information such as visual recognition of colors and shades. Parietal lobe on the other hand contains the sensory cortex responsible for controlling sensation through pressure and touch variations. The temporal lobe on the other hand is primarily responsible for recognition of different smells and sounds.  The frontal lobe of the cerebrum which is the concern of this study is the front part of the brain which is primarily responsible for cognitive functions. It is thus responsible for selective attention, organizing, planning, personality, problem solving and is primarily associated with high level cognitive functions. The frontal lobe is highly wrinkled to create enough surface area for the accumulation of the millions of nerve cells that transmits information within it. Scientifically, these frontal lobes which are found immediately behind the forehead are the seats upon which all high order cognitive functions are exercised.

The achievement of cognitive function in the brain is achieved through a complex interplay of information transmission through sensory nerve cells.  These nerve cells relay information to the brain from all the internal and external parts of the body (Lycan, 1999). When certain stimulus is propagated to the brain by the nerves, the brain evaluates the data and sends directives to muscles and glands through the motor nerve cell. The brain may also store the information for future use, which is retrieved when needed through an interconnection of related impulses through the brain. It is important to note that all the transmission from the various body parts through the nerves and to the brains parts of the brain to refer to a certain action. Scientific research shows that the human brain is made up of approximately 10 billion nerve cells that are interconnected with innumerable extensions. The interlaying of the nerve fibers and their junctions enables nerve impulses to be transmitted in virtually unlimited number of pathways (Coren et al, 1999 p. 9). As such, a single neurotic transmission is capable of producing infinite number of responses depending on the path the nerve impulse passed. Although there have been great strides in the scientific understanding of the brain, a great percentage of what is known lies on the functions of different parts of the brain as opposed to the real rationale behind why the different parts of the brain functions the way they do. There has been progress in analyzing some functions that may fail if certain parts of the brain are damaged but the understanding of the exact scientific understanding of their functioning is still elusive.

Phineas Gage accident in Cavendish Vermont in 1848 has been used to exemplify some known facts about the role of the brain in cognitive functions. During the accident, a 3.5 foot-long rod blew into his skull through his brain and emerged at the top of his head (Roadside America, 2010). The man survived and didnt lose his consciousness. However, his colleagues and family started observing some changes in his personality after the accident. Primarily, the part that was most affected by the metal rod was the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. The fact that it did not affect his consciousness implies that the frontal lobe does not participate in consciousness function. However, the fact that his personality changed drastically after the accident imply that the affected part of the brain had a direct function in determining the personality that an individual exhibits.  His condition can best be explained by the modern theory pertaining to cognitive functions, that is, when one part of the cortex is damaged, the other parts can substitute its functions and would only fail depending on the extent of the damage of the cortex.

In conclusion, all mental functions including the high level cognitive functions requires a neurotic transmission which must be interpreted by the brain before the brain gives direction of action. Since different sensory transmissions contain data coded differently, it is the brain which directs where the decoding of every neuron-transmission will take place. As such, the brain plays the role of receiving the stimulus that elicits a specific action from the brain.