Phineas Gage Paper

Phineas Gage Paper

In doing this paper the topics being discussed will help to better elaborate on the details of Phineas Gage. In the upcoming paragraphs the role of the brain in cognitive functions will be reviewed and given a better explanation. In this explanation it will be addressed and described what the Phineas Gage's accident revealed about how brain areas support cognitive functioning. Finally, there will be an explanation of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) regarding Phineas Gage's injury. Hopeful this paper will give understanding on Phineas Gage and his contribution to cognitive functions.

Phineas Gage

Who Is Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage was born in 1823. At the age of 25 gage was a foreman of a crew in Cavendish, Vermont. Gage was using a tamping iron to help with the packing of explosive powder in a hole. While doing this, somehow the explosive powder detonated. The taming iron pierced Gage's cheek, tore through his brain, and escaped through his skull. Gage was rushed to the hospital while being conscious and alert where he was treated by Dr. John Martyn Harlow.

Role of the Brain in Cognitive Functions

In cognitive functioning, the brain plays a significant role. According to the textbook cognitive function is a person's ability to process thoughts and information (Willingham, 2007). As we learned last week cognitive functions help with; learning, perception, and memory.

The brain has four main parts in which play the role in cognitive functions. These four parts are occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. Below is a list of these four portions and a brief description.

Occipital Lobe

The occipital lobe is dedicated to the visual processing part of the brain. Although this is part of visual processing it is towards the back of the head which is the farthest away from the eyes. This is a part that was affected in Gage.

Parietal Lobe

The parietal lobe is on the top or also known as the dorsal section of the brain. This is where visual information is sent to this lobe when it needs to be processed. This lobe is known for its capacity for spatial processing. This is where the "where" part of the brain is processed at.

Temporal Lobe

The temporal lobe is positioned on the bottom part of the brain. This section of the lobe is where the "what" s processed. This is also where the auditory is processed for sound.

Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe is the executive of functioning which makes it one of the most important. This is where the brain makes decisions, where received information is observed, goods and bad the ups and downs are well-thought-out. Most