GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE Psychology
- Structure and function of the brain: the lobes
Structure and function of the brain: the lobes
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
The outer layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, is divided into four lobes, each with its own main jobs. Below them at the back sits the cerebellum.
The four lobes
Frontal lobe (front): planning and decision-making, controlling movement (the motor cortex), personality and some emotions such as aggression; involved in recent memory. In most people, speech production (Broca's area) is in the left frontal lobe.
Parietal lobe (top, behind the frontal lobe): bodily sensations such as touch, temperature and pain; keeps track of the positions of the head, eyes and body.
Temporal lobe (sides, near the ears): hearing; it is the main target for sound, so it is essential for understanding spoken language; also involved in memory.
Occipital lobe (back): vision; the main target for information from the eyes.
Parietal lobe (top, behind the frontal lobe): bodily sensations such as touch, temperature and pain; keeps track of the positions of the head, eyes and body.
Temporal lobe (sides, near the ears): hearing; it is the main target for sound, so it is essential for understanding spoken language; also involved in memory.
Occipital lobe (back): vision; the main target for information from the eyes.
The cerebellum
The cerebellum sits at the back of the brain, below the occipital lobe.
It helps control movement, and is important for balance and coordination, such as walking smoothly or catching a ball.
It helps control movement, and is important for balance and coordination, such as walking smoothly or catching a ball.
Remembering the lobes
A helpful link: Occipital is for Optics (seeing); Temporal is near the Temples and ears (hearing); Parietal is for Physical feeling; Frontal is for Forward planning.
Remember that complex behaviours involve several areas working together.
Remember that complex behaviours involve several areas working together.
A patient has damage to the occipital lobe. Which ability is most likely to be affected?
- The occipital lobe processes information from the eyes.
Answer: Vision.
Frontal lobe: planning, decisions, movement and personality. Parietal lobe: touch and body sensation. Temporal lobe: hearing and understanding language. Occipital lobe: vision. Cerebellum: balance and coordination.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.