Phineas Gage

Phineas adventure Paper The instinct plays a significant role in cognitive functioning. The human header is do up of various organizes, and each of these structures is creditworthy for specific cognitive functions. Scientists and psychologists consend conducted umteen studies and experiments in an effort to pinpoint which mind-set structures are responsible for certain cognitive functions. In the past, technology was quite limited which go away field few options for studying the human brain. The only way to study the brain at this point in time was to perform studies on subjects that were already deceased.While this did help shed some light on cognitive functioning there were still many unanswered questions and misunderstandings about the brain and its functions. One particular case that has been linked to the brains role in intelligence is that of Phineas kitty. weed suffered a traumatic brain injury which altered his pilot film cognitive functioning abilities. The cas e of Phineas Gage has left hand a haunting mark on the world of cognitive psychology and has been used as a prime example of how the brain affects cognitive functioning. Cognitive operationThe cerebral cortex is divided into four lobes as well as into left and right hemispheres. Martinez (2010, pp. 237) states that, The cerebral cortex is the anatomical origin of the take heeds higher-order functionsreasoning, intelligence, creativity, and problem-solvingas well as the coordination of sensory input and repulse control that helps us relate skillfully to our environments. By segregating each structure of the cerebral cortex a greater understanding is achieved as to which incision is responsible for certain cognitive functions.One important discovery was that the left and right hemisphere of the brain actually process information differently. Phineas Gages Life Changing Accident Phineas Gages invigoration changing accident took place in the year of 1848. Gage worked on a railro ad construction crew. When the accident occurred, Gage was using a tamping iron to fill holes in the ground with gunpowder. Doing so would allow quadruplet for the new railroad to be laid. Unfortunately for Phineas Gage, an unexpected explosion occurred which sent the tamping iron straight through his skull. The tamping iron entered through Gages left heek bone and exited through the top of his skull. Amazingly enough, Gage was conscious and able to walk just a few minutes afterwards the accident took place. Due to the massive wounds, Phineas Gage was not expected to exist when he arrived to a local physician named John Martin Harlow. Harlow had to remove lowly bone fragments from the wound and then closed the primary wound on the top of Gages head using adhesive straps and a wet compress. This allowed the wound to drain. Gage was never surgically treated for his wounds. Gage suffered three major injuries as a precede of his accident.Despite the extremely traumatic injuries t hat Gage sustained from his accident, he was able to recover and by 1849 Gage was threeing a seemingly normal life. However, shortly after Gages recovery those closest to him began noticing dramatic changes in his general demeanor. His wife and family members noted a significant change in his personality. Harlow overly noticed changes deep down Gages personality. Harlow was allowed to examine Gages body a few years after his death. By examining Gages brain and skull Harlow was able to determine what structures of the brain were harmed by the accident.This allowed Harlow to declare connections between Gages change in behavior foregoing to and after the accident. He was able to estimate from the skull that constipation had occurred mainly to the left anterior part of the frontal lobes, including the orbitofrontal cortex (Wickens, 2005, p. 160). This type of damage seemed to lead to inappropriate behaviors and a loss of social inhibitions, which were not apparent previous to the accident (Deakin University, 2010). Harlows observations allowed him to write several publications which became very significant within the field of psychology.His publications were aimed towards uncovering that damage to certain areas of the brain can result in dysfunctions within the cognitive system. Gage sustained the most damage to the orbitofrontal cortex. This part of the brain is believed to play a role in stirred behavior and decision making processes, which is likely why Gage see such a significant change in behavior after the accident. Gages accident is significant because it enabled psychologists and scientists to associate that the frontal lobes are essential to cognitive and emotional self-regulation (Martinez, 2010, p. 46). Conclusion Cognitive functioning is attributed primarily to the inner workings of the human brain. The major structures that make up the brain each play an exclusive role in certain cognitive functions. The discoveries made by studying Gages bra in injuries and the consequence that they had on his behavior and personality has made a lasting economic crisis on the field of psychology. Gages accident led to many new theories and studies to uncover how brain injuries and illnesses could affect cognitive functioning.Without a correct understanding of the brain and its crucial role in behavior and moral processes it would be impossible to comprehend the various cognitive functions that exist. References Deakin University. (2010). Phineas Gages Story. Psychology Phineas Gage Information. Retrieved June 18, 2011 from http//www. deakin. edu. au/hmnbs/psychology/gagepage/Pgstory. php Martinez, M. , E. (2010). Learning and cognition The radiation diagram of the mind. Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education Inc. Wickens, A. , P. (2005). Foundation of biopsychology. (2nd ed. ). New York, NY Pearson &038 learner Hall Inc.