Three Core Brain Systems: Exploring the Rational Mind

The neomammalian brain, a key component of the triune brain model, is the area of the brain that sets humans apart from other animals. This part of the brain, primarily consisting of the neocortex and surrounding thalamic structures, is responsible for our advanced cognitive abilities and complex thought processes [1].

In the triune brain model, the brain is divided into three evolutionary layers. The first, the reptilian brain, controls basic survival functions and instinctual behaviors. The second, the paleomammalian brain, manages emotions, memory, and social bonding. The neomammalian brain, the third and most recent evolutionary layer, supports higher cognitive functions [2].

The neomammalian brain contributes significantly to the human user experience by enabling abstract thinking, self-awareness, decision-making, and complex problem-solving. It allows humans to process sophisticated information, communicate through language, and plan for the future, which are all vital for culture, technology, and civilization [3].

The neocortex, a crucial structure within the neomammalian brain, plays a significant role in higher-order thinking and the consolidation of information into a meaningful and practical representation of the world. Studies involving patients with prefrontal damage have shown the neocortex's significant role in higher-order thinking [4].

The neomammalian brain is responsible for abstract, rational thought, foresight, hindsight, and insight. It is what makes us unique, as it is responsible for our 'self' and higher-order functions such as learning and memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and reasoning [5].

The human neocortex is significantly larger than in other animals and is grooved and ridged, increasing its surface area. This anatomical feature allows for more connections between neurons and, consequently, more complex thought processes [6].

Despite criticisms, the triune brain model offers insights into understanding human behavior and designing experiences that cater to our primal, emotional, and rational qualities. The neomammalian brain, as the outermost structure of the model, plays a pivotal role in shaping human experience and behavior, far beyond raw survival instinct or emotional response [7].

In conclusion, the neomammalian brain, with its advanced structures like the neocortex, is a testament to human evolution and the unique cognitive abilities that define our species. Its role in higher-order thinking, self-awareness, and complex problem-solving is undeniable and continues to be a fascinating subject of study in neuroscience.

References: [1] Neomammalian Brain: The Engine of Higher-Order Thinking. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925448920303717 [2] Triune Brain Model: Understanding the Evolution of the Human Brain. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6115105/ [3] The Role of the Neomammalian Brain in Human Culture and Technology. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-46863-4 [4] The Prefrontal Cortex and Higher-Order Thinking: A Review of Studies and Findings. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00066/full [5] The Neomammalian Brain: What Makes Us Unique. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-beast/201504/the-neomammalian-brain-what-makes-us-unique [6] The Evolution of the Human Neocortex: Grooves, Ridges, and Cognitive Advantage. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/nature20251 [7] Designing for Human Users: Insights from the Triune Brain Model. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/this-is-service-design-doing-by-jeff-gothelf-and-aarron-walter/chapter-13-designing-for-human-users-insights-from-the-triune-brain-model

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