Functions of the Brain

The human brain is one of the most complicated objects in the universe. Although it weighs less than 3 pounds, it manages everything from our heart rates to our thoughts and feelings. The functions of the brain are varied, and include: thinking, perception (sensing), emotion, signaling, and many of our physical functions. Our cognition, feelings and behavior are all the result of our brains.

1. Brain
Functions of the

2. There are 6 functions of the Brain
2. Perception or Sensing
3. Emotion or Feeling
4. Behaviour
5. Physical or Somatic
6. Signaling (being responsive
and reacting to the environment)
1. Thinking or Cognition

3. Communicating
Arithmetic
Insight
Planning
Judgement
Comprehension
Processing
Reading
Focusing
Attending
Memory
Contemplation
Thinking (or cognition)
includes all of our internal
mental processes and functions

4. See
Hear
Smell
Taste
Touch
Perception is the ability to
use our five senses to:

5. Emotion is the ability to experience
feelings and to express those
feelings to others.
 Anxious
 Worried
 Fearful
 Nervous
 Panicky
 Inferior
 Inadequate
 Lonely
 Discouraged
 Sad
 Depressed
 Guilty
 Ashamed
 Angry
 Irritated
 Annoyed
 Resentful
 Frustrated
 Happy
 Excited
 Calm
 Peaceful
 Content
 Serene
 Joyful
 Pleased
 Carefree
We can also call our emotions and
feelings “MOODS”

6. Mood is the
ongoing inner
feeling experienced
by an individual.

7. Short term shifts towards “positive”
pole because of “positive” life events
Short term shifts towards
“negative” pole because
of “negative” life events
Normal
Range
“Normal mood” varies, but
usually remains within a normal range

8. Initiation
of Physiologic
Cascade
 Heart Rate
 Tension
 Alertness
 Perception
Sensory Perception
(Ears, Eyes, Nose, Touch,
Taste)
Internal Signals
(Thoughts, Emotions,
Physical)
DANGER!
Brain Registers
DANGER!
Prepared to
Fight or Flee
for Safety &
Protection
What is signaling?

9. •Respiratory System
•Circulatory System
•Nervous System
•Genitourinary System
•Digestive System
•Musculoskeletal System
Many physical
functions are under the
control of the brain.

10. •Sitting
•Running
•Walking
•Talking
•Listening
•Working
•Joking
•Playing
•Reading
What are
behavioral
functions?

11. Sun Life Financial Chair
In Adolescent Mental Health
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