PS262 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Edgar Adrian, Occipital Lobe, Neuron Doctrine
Document Summary
We take it for granted that the brain is responsible for mental functions idea that the brain controls mental functioning is a modern idea: brief history of the physiological approach. Early hypotheses about the seat of the mind. Early philosopher aristotle stated heart was seat of mind and soul. Greek physician galen saw human health, thoughts and emotions being determined by four different spirits flowing from ventricles. Accepted all the way until the early 1600s. Descartes accepted the idea of flowing spirits, but named the pineal gland as the seat of the soul the brain as the seat of the mind. Thomas willis concluded that the brain was responsible for mental functioning and that different parts of the brain were used for different functions. Details of the mechanisms of the brain had to await development of new technology to allow researchers to see brain"s microstructure and record electrical signals.
