2. Its location
in the brain
• It is located at the
very front of the
brain
• Just behind our
foreheads
• It is subdivided by the
brains right and left
hemispheres
• It is a large area that
covers most of the
frontal lobes of the
brain
3. Functions of the Prefrontal
Cortex
It is crucial in the brain
Plans the response to complex and challenging problems
as it has the ability to process the current environment
as well as past events. As a result, it has helped humans
develop as it aids us in applying past events and
memories into new situations.
An example of one of its many functions is when you set
a difficult question aside, the prefrontal cortex still
attempts to find solutions by combining information
from the left and right sides of the brain
4. More about its functions
It is responsible for the advanced cognitive functions
like:
Planning ahead and create strategies
Decision making: guides us to make rational decisions
instead of spontaneous ones
Telling the difference between right and wrong
Socially appropriate behaviours
Focusing thoughts; learning, paying attention and
concentrating
It matures slowly and reaches maturity in the mid 20s
5. Case Study 1: Phineas Gage
Phineas Gage is probably the most famous example of
how brain damage can affect ones behaviour. In 1848,
Gage got into a terrible accident and caused an
explosion which sent a metal pole through his skull. The
pole entered Gage’s left cheek, pierced the base of his
skull, went through his prefrontal cortex and exited at
high speed. To our amazement, Phineas Gage woke up
with consciousness.
Dr. Harlow studied Phineas’ activity and found a drastic
change in his personality before his accident and after.
6.
7. Case Study 1: Phineas Gage (2)
There was no noticeable difficulty with speech or
language. Nor did he suffer from paralysis. However,
what changed was his balance between his intellectual
abilities and his emotional control. This was evident
once his wound was healed.
Phineas Gage had started to become agitated and
irreverent; he showed no respect for others. This was
clear when he started using pornographic language. Dr
Harlow describes him as a “a child in his intellectual
capacity but with eh animal passions of a strong man”.
His case has gotten so extreme, that women were
advised not to stay long in his presence.
8. Case Study 1: Phineas Gage (3)
Other differences that were found included his success
in making plans however he would never follow through
on them. Furthermore, Gage became impatient and
could not separate right from wrong.
This was one of the first case studies that allowed us to
see the effects of each part of the brain; it aided with
the localization of the brain. Overall, thanks to Phineas
Gage, we now know the functions of the front of the
brain which we now call, the prefrontal cortex.
9. Case Study 2: The Ultimatum
Game
Koeigs et al.(2007)
The study aims to see the effect of the damage of the
prefrontal cortex on a moral dilemma.
There were two groups, a controlled group (those
without any damage in their brains) and the damaged
group. Two players would play and a sum of money is
offered. The conditions are that player A and B would
either share the money or not take the money at all.
Player A proposes an imbalanced division and player B
decides to accept or reject.
10. Case Study 2: Results
In the controlled group, it was noticed that almost
all of them accepted the offer. However, more
rejections of the offers were made.
11. Without the prefrontal cortex…
Without the prefrontal cortex, basic cognitive functions
can still be functional. The effect would be on the more
advanced functions.
Social behaviour would be affected as seen in the
Phineas Gage case study
The target would not be able to know the difference
between right and wrong nor would they know what is
socially acceptable and what is not.
