Cognitive psychology: core concepts and principles

Cognitive Psychology

Artificial brain

The brain primarily consists of three major parts; the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. Each of these parts have specialized functions as well as characteristics that enable them to perform the specialized functions. As a surgeon given the grants to design an artificial brain, there are various functions that I will ensure are changed in each section and will be highlighted below after every discussion of the purpose and function of each of these parts of the brain.

The forebrain is also referred to as prosencephalon and is the largest part of the brain. This is further separated into the lower diencephalon and the upper telencephalon. It is in this section of the brain that most voluntary and involuntary motor control, the cognition, language as well as emotions are controlled. The forebrain being the most exposed on the head with most risks to physical trauma being from the front would be fitted with a protective cartilage that would further minimize the impact of such physical trauma from the front apart from the cranium.

The lower diencephalon is made up of parts like the pretectum, prethalamus, epithalamus, hypothalamus, thalamus and subthalamus making this section responsible for automatic nervous system that regulates temperature and sleep. It also deals with the control of hormones that regulate metabolism. It is also responsible for equilibrium, controlling eye movements and respiratory control. The function of hearing, salivating, chewing food, hearing are as well controlled here. As a surgeon, this part will be modified in order to restrain the production of the digestion hormone so that people would not fall hungry more often. The part that controls hearing would be made also to have a wider range of reception than is now since there are lower sounds that cannot be heard yet important to the human beings.

The upper telencephalon is made up of the cerebrum hence this is the most complex part of the central nervous system. It is here that personality is controlled, as well as the memory and cognitive ability of man. Reasoning, concentration and abstract thinking takes place here. The control of motor function takes place here too and defects in this part are what may result in Parkinson's disease as well as Huntington's disease. During the construction of the artificial brain, I will ensure that this part of the brain is fitted with brain cells with the capability to regenerate so as to restore memory of the victims and also cells that can be trained through regular exposure to stimuli and in the end increasing the concentration levels and ability to think abstractly (Serendip, 2013).

The midbrain also referred to as mesencephalon contain the cranial nerves that stimulate the muscles which are responsible for the control of the movement of the eye, the shape of the lens as well as the diameter of the pupil. It is this part that joins the spinal cord and the forebrain. It is the part that is also charged with controlling voluntary movements and moods. It controls the respiratory muscles, the vocal cords, it also controls the pharyngeal, the oral as well as the nasal passage that facilitate resonance. It is the part that enables articulation control as it controls the tongue, palate, lips and mandibles. It is this part that controls the laughing and crying of an individual (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2013). In the artificial brain, there would be cells that allow for the articulation of more languages than it is at the moment. The artificial brain will also allow for the higher mood tolerance so that man is able to withstand extreme mood swings.