Functional structures of the cerebral cortex
The four areas of the brain are a gigantic network. The brain can be considered the "computing centre": It is involved in all the processes of movement, perception and thought; it is also responsible for speech or emotions. These deeper structures, with their specific functions, are of course of great importance for learning.
Content
The four areas of the brain are a gigantic network. The brain can be considered the "computing centre": It is involved in all the processes of movement, perception and thought; it is also responsible for speech or emotions. These deeper structures, with their specific functions, are of course of great importance for learning.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus has the role of transferring memory content from short-term memory to long-term memory. It is about information absorbed by reading or listening, but also about everyday situations and experiences or spatial memory.
Damage to the hippocampus leads to rapid memory loss. Events from long ago, such as one's own childhood, are usually largely preserved and can still be recalled.
The amygdala
The amygdala is part of the limbic system and, at the same time, is a very important structure for perceiving and processing feelings, especially fear and anxiety. It processes information from the environment to determine whether or not it is emotionally important or dangerous to us and initiates the appropriate autonomic reactions.
The island
The exact function of the island is not yet fully understood. It is believed to be involved in the processing of unconscious bodily sensations, particularly the sense of taste. It also appears to be an important part of the emotional evaluation of certain sensations, for example, the sensation of pain.
Basal ganglia
The basal ganglia are located below the cerebral cortex and control patterns of motor and cognitive action. They integrate many aspects of the personality into action, such as initiative, will, motivation or spontaneity. The basal ganglia send information to the cerebral cortex via the thalamus. Thus, they are involved in the selection of necessary motor action patterns or higher integrated action patterns, but at the same time they can also suppress unwanted activity and action patterns.
Thalamus
The thalamus is one of the most complex structures in the central nervous system and is made up of many individual nuclei. The thalamus filters the information received from the body and sensory organs. It decides whether it is important enough to reach the cortex and thus become conscious, or whether it remains below the level of consciousness. Information from other areas of the brain is also used in this process. In this way, important decisions can be made regarding behaviour, which also take into account the general situation.
What does this mean for my teaching practice?
Perception, emotions, behaviour and learning are controlled by certain areas of the brain. Individual differences in behaviour are also based on different processing procedures in the brain. On the other hand, the function of these areas is also heavily based on previous experiences and can be modified accordingly through brain plasticity.
Reflection question
How can behaviour, perception and thinking be influenced from the outside?
Quiz
1) Which part of the cerebrum can be considered the bottleneck through which information must pass in order to be stored?
A) Hippocampus
B) Amygdala
C) Basal ganglia
2) Which part of the cerebrum is responsible for not being able to learn under fear?
A) Hippocampus
B) Amygdala
C) Basal ganglia