UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-RECOLETOS
Bacolod City
INTEGRATED SCHOOL Grades 11 and 12
PERDEV080
Lesson 5: Powers of the Mind
The Parts of the Brain
The brain is composed of three important parts:
A. The Forebrain
The forebrain is considered as the biggest part of the brain. It is mostly consists of the cerebrum.
Generally, the cerebrum controls speech, reasoning, learning, emotional control, and memory. To break
this down, the following parts are found in the cerebrum:
The Limbic System. It consists of the:
hippocampus which focuses on learning and memory;
amygdala which is the center of emotions like aggression and anger;
hypothalamus which is responsible for basic processes like control of hunger, regulation of
temperature, thirst, and circadian rhythms (body clock) which tells you when to eat or sleep and rise. It
responds to sunlight and temperature.
thalamus is also found in the forebrain. Its main job is to control the flow of information going into
the cerebral cortex, which is distributed to the muscles and senses, and vice versa
The Cerebral Cortex. The cerebral cortex is the outer thin layer of the cerebrum.
UNO-R Integrated School Grades 11 & 12 | HUMSS Department | AY 2024-2025
UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-RECOLETOS
Bacolod City
INTEGRATED SCHOOL Grades 11 and 12
PERDEV080
B. The Midbrain
This part is found between the forebrain and the hindbrain. It is responsible for eye movement and
auditory information. The midbrain serves as the link in the signal transmissions between the forebrain
and the hindbrain.
C. The Hindbrain
It is composed of:
cerebellum, also known as the little brain with its numerous and deep folds, which controls movement
and balance;
pons, which is responsible for processes like arousal and the sleep and waking up cycle.
The medulla oblongata is considered as the extension of the spinal cord that is found in the skull. It
regulates important processes like circulation and other involuntary processes like heart rate, blood
pressure regulation, salivation, sneezing, breathing, vomiting, and coughing.
The four lobes of the brain
The cerebral cortex is divided into four lobes. Each lobe governs specific functions.
1. Frontal lobe. This lobe is found at the front of the brain. It is responsible for the higher level thinking
processes like problem-solving, learning, and organizing. It also regulates attention, memory, and
mobility.
2. Parietal lobe. At the back of the frontal lobe is the parietal lobe. This region integrates sensory data
like touch, pain, pressure, and temperature. It also helps in kinaesthesia or the perception that the limbs
or body is moving.
3. Temporal lobe. The temporal lobe is found near each ear. Its main function is to process auditory
signals and information. It is an important component in understanding language. It is also involved in
the long-term memory encoding. The presence of a tumor in this lobe can give rise to hallucinations.
4. Occipital lobe. This region is found at the lower back part of the cortex. Its job is to process visual
information including the detection and identification of colors, movement, and other visual stimuli. It
gets information from the eyes and uses them to form perceptions or interpretations.
HEMISPHERES of the BRAIN
Our brain is separated into two halves. Each half is called a hemisphere. All of us have two hemispheres.
One is called the right hemisphere and the other is called the left hemisphere.
Roger Sperry’s in his Split-Brain Experiment examined the way the human brain’s hemispheres
operate independently and in sync with one another. The brain’s right hemisphere controls the muscles
on the left side of the human body, while the left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of
the body. Example, when you wink your right eye, that is the left side of your brain at work. Due to this
criss-cross wiring, when one side of the brain gets damaged, the opposite side of the body is affected.
UNO-R Integrated School Grades 11 & 12 | HUMSS Department | AY 2024-2025
UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-RECOLETOS
Bacolod City
INTEGRATED SCHOOL Grades 11 and 12
PERDEV080
Basic Characteristics of Left and Right Brain
Based on the concept, the left and the right brain process information in different ways; the left brain is
said to perform language, logic, and analytical thinking. This means individuals who are left brain
dominants are more adept in reasoning. Logical and analytical thinking, mathematical computation and
language. Common jobs for them are scientist, lawyer, engineer, accountant or computer programmers.
On the other hand,individuals who are right brain dominant tend to be exceptional in reading and
recognizing emotions, intuitive, creative, and musically inclined; some areas where they can excel are in
politics, theater arts, counseling, or interior design. Even though, others would consider right brain
dominant individuals to be more artistic, it does not mean that they are more capable than their
counterpart. The essential part of understanding this theory is the awareness that there are two ways of
thinking and the effort to improve the less dominant side
What is Mind-Mapping?
A Mind map is a diagram used to visually organize an idea. It is often used to discuss a single concept where
representations of symbols, images or words are added. Major ideas are immediately connected to the central
theme, and other concepts diverge from those. This technique is popularized by British psychology author,
Tony Buzan.
Basically using this technique, a central theme is placed in the middle of the sheet as the general concept;
major issues concerning the central theme are presented thru the use of lines branching out from the general
concept. Then, major issues are connected with additional lines to present other matters relating to them.
Mind-mapping is useful in note taking, evaluating situations, brainstorming sessions, presentations, strategic
planning, and decision making as it will highlight key ideas and gets rid of irrelevant. Moreover, it encourages
identifying connections and at the same time harnesses one’s activity thru the use of images or symbols.
How to Mind Map
Mind mapping is very easy to do. First, you need a blank unlined paper, coloring materials and pens, your brain
coupled with your imagination.
Buzan identified Seven Steps to Making a Mind Map.
1. Start in the center of a blank page turned sideways. Starting in the center gives your brain freedom to
spread out in all directions and to express itself more freely and naturally.
2. Use an image or a picture for your central idea. A picture is worth a thousand words and it will help your
imagination. A central image is more interesting and will keep you focused.
UNO-R Integrated School Grades 11 & 12 | HUMSS Department | AY 2024-2025
UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL-RECOLETOS
Bacolod City
INTEGRATED SCHOOL Grades 11 and 12
PERDEV080
3. Use colors throughout. Colors are as exciting to your brain as images. It adds extra vibrance and life to your
mind map and adds energy to your creativity.
4. Connect your main branches to the central image and connect your second and third level branches to the
first and second levels. This will allow your brain to work by association. You will be able to link two ore more
things together.
5. Make your branches curved rather than straight-lined for the simple reason that straight lines are boring to
your brain.
6. Use one key word per line. Single key words give your mind map more power and flexibility.
7. Use images throughout because like the central image, each one is also worth a thousand words.
Sample Mind Map by Tony Buzan:
UNO-R Integrated School Grades 11 & 12 | HUMSS Department | AY 2024-2025
