Three Distinct Brain Regions: An Examination of the Rational Mind Region
The neomammalian brain, also known as the neocortex, is a significant brain structure in humans and plays a crucial role in higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and forming an accurate representation of the world. This part of the brain, located on the outermost section of the brain, consists of structures like the neocortex and other thalamic structures [1][2].
The neomammalian brain is responsible for a range of functions that set humans apart from other animals. It enables rational thinking and conscious decision-making, allowing us to evaluate complex situations, especially those involving moral or social dilemmas, by calculating potential outcomes and weighing benefits and risks [2]. This capacity for abstract, logical thinking is a key feature distinguishing humans from other animals.
Moreover, the neomammalian brain supports problem-solving, enabling us to analyze novel or complicated problems and devise appropriate solutions, going beyond instinctual or emotional responses mediated by lower brain structures [3][5]. Through the neocortex, the brain integrates sensory information and prior knowledge to develop an accurate representation of the environment, which guides deliberate and goal-directed actions [3][5].
The neomammalian brain allows flexible, adaptive behavior based on reflection and foresight. In contrast to more primitive brain regions, such as the reptilian brain regulating basic survival instincts, and the limbic system handling emotions and memories, the neomammalian brain allows for moral considerations and social reasoning, which are essential for complex human interactions and ethical decision-making [2].
Visualizing this through the "Hand Model of the Brain," the neocortex corresponds to the folded fingers covering the thumb, symbolizing its role in overriding primal impulses and emotional reactivity to enable controlled, thoughtful responses [5].
The prefrontal cortex, a crucial part of the neomammalian brain, consolidates information from various brain regions into a meaningful and practical representation of the world. Anything that impedes the functioning of the prefrontal cortex can affect many qualities that separate humans from other animals, such as short-term memory and the ability to make sense of and form a cohesive representation of the world [4].
In summary, the neomammalian brain’s functions encompass the highest-level cognitive processes, allowing humans to think abstractly, solve problems creatively, and plan actions based on a sophisticated understanding of the world. This makes it fundamental in our ability to act with foresight and moral judgment. The concept of the three brains (reptilian, paleomammalian, and neomammalian) provides a useful framework for designers aiming to capture what it means to be a human user [6]. Despite criticisms for oversimplification, the triune brain model offers a valuable guide for understanding human users in terms of their primal, emotional, and rational qualities [7].
References: [1] LeDoux, J. (2015). Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are. Viking. [2] McLean, P. D. (1990). The Triune Brain in Evolution: Role in Paleocerebral Functions. Plenum Press. [3] Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. Grosset/Putnam. [4] Goldman-Rakic, P. S. (1995). The prefrontal cortex and the neural basis of working memory. Trends in Neurosciences, 18(10), 457-464. [5] Gazzaniga, M. S. (2011). The Ethical Brain: The Science of Our Moral Dilemmas. Ecco. [6] Norman, D. A. (2010). The Design of Everyday Things. Basic Books. [7] Edelman, G. M. (1992). Bright Air, Brilliant Fire: On the Matter of the Mind. Basic Books.
Science delves into the unique capabilities of the neomammalian brain, pivotal in human cognition and mental processes, setting humans apart from other animals. This brain structure, which includes the neocortex, supports mental health and wellness, enabling complex problem-solving, abstract thinking, and moral and social reasoning – key components of health-and-wellness in humans.
