Are there “Higher-order” and “Lower-order” Functions in the Human Brain?
… every part of the human brain. This is because one cannot have an understanding of something that has been overlooked or not yet discovered. Furthermore, many structures of the brain are functional because they are dependent upon another structure. Since various functions of the brain are completed through a network of brain structures, one specific function cannot be termed higher than another. This paper will discuss these topics further to explain that systems and structures of the human brain are not and cannot be clearly divided in terms of what can be classified as “higher-order” and “lower-order” psychological functions of the human brain. First, systems and structures of the brain are not clearly divided because many structures are strongly intertwined with other structures. These relationships prove to be essential for complete human functioning. Perception is a good example. Pinel (2003, p.163) explains the organization of sensory systems in a hierarchy. The …
