GCSE Psychology: Structure and Function of the Brain Guide

The cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outer layer, is divided into four lobes: frontal (decision-making and movement), parietal (sensory processing), temporal (hearing and memory) and occipital (vision).

The cerebellum and brain stem

The cerebellum coordinates movement, balance and posture. The brain stem controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate, and connects the brain to the spinal cord.

Hemispheres and lateralisation

The brain is divided into two hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum. Lateralisation refers to certain functions being more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.

Studying the brain

Brain function can be studied using scanning techniques like fMRI (measuring blood flow linked to brain activity) and by studying people with brain damage to see which abilities are affected.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their functions.
• Confusing the cerebellum (movement and balance) with the cerebrum (higher thinking).
• Assuming one hemisphere does all of a function rather than being simply more dominant for it.