Frontal: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Frontal is a type of cognitive operation that is used to solve problems, make decisions, and plan actions. It is the most complex cognitive process and is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is the part of the brain responsible for executive functions. The frontal lobe is also responsible for higher-order functions such as working memory, decision-making, planning, problem solving, and social behavior.
Definition
Frontal is defined as the cognitive process of organizing and controlling thoughts, actions, and behavior in order to solve problems and make decisions. It is a form of problem-solving that involves the use of the frontal lobe of the brain to strategically plan and execute tasks. It involves the use of working memory, decision-making, planning, and problem-solving skills.
History
The concept of frontal has its roots in the early 20th century, when French physician and neuroscientist Pierre Paul Broca identified a region of the brain involved in higher-order functions such as problem-solving and decision-making. This region was later identified as the frontal lobe. In the 1950s, American neurologist and neuroscientist Karl Pribram identified the role of the frontal lobe in problem-solving and decision-making.
Characteristics
Frontal is characterized by the use of the frontal lobe of the brain in order to strategically plan and execute tasks. It involves the use of working memory, decision-making, planning, and problem-solving skills. It is the most complex cognitive process and requires the ability to recall and organize information, make decisions, and plan actions.
References
Broca, P. (1861). Anatomie comparée des circonvolutions cérébrales. Bulletin de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris, 2, 139–207.
Pribram, K. H. (1956). The neuropsychology of problem solving. American Psychologist, 11(3), 166–174.
Colom, R., & Karama, S. (2002). Working memory and intelligence: A latent-variable approach. Intelligence, 30(2), 163–183.
Baddeley, A. (2003). Working memory: Looking back and looking forward. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 4(10), 829–839.
Delis, D. C., Kramer, J. H., Kaplan, E., & Ober, B. A. (2000). California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.