Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex is the most anterior portion of the frontal lobe. It responds primarily to stimuli that signal the need for movement, but is also responsible for many other specialized functions. It receives information from all sensory systems and can integrate a large amount of information (Kalat2004). Studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for working memory. Working memory is defined as “the information currently available in memory for working on a problem” (Anderson 2005). The prefrontal cortex (PFC) also controls context-dependent behaviors (Kalat2004). For example, if my cell phone rings while I'm at the grocery store or grocery store, I answer it. If it rang while I was watching the cinema or in class I wouldn't respond. People with frontal lobe damage often exhibit inappropriate behavior due to an inability to recognize context. Other studies indicate that the prefrontal cortex is also responsible for regulating emotions and decision making. A study was conducted in which participants were presented with three dilemmas. One dilemma was called the trolley dilemma: a trolley is directed towards five people standing on the platform. You can change the trolley to another track by killing only one person instead of five. The subjects were asked to decide between right and wrong. Brain scans of participants show that contemplating dilemmas activates the prefrontal cortex and other areas that respond to emotions (Kalat 2004). Sustaining an injury to the prefrontal cortex produces a wide variety of side effects. The effects range from mild to severe. You can get an injury from head trauma or stroke (CJ Long 2005). Possible deficits associated with minor lesions of the prefrontal cortex: - Inability to respond quickly to verbal instructions - Language dysfluency - Impairments in understanding complex images or words - Difficulty in problem solving - Deficits in complex tasks requiring inhibition of behavioral patterns habitual. With more extensive lesions the person experiences greater behavioral deficits. These deficits include: perseveration, i.e. the inability to make behavioral changes in attention, movement and attitude, decreased creativity, poor recall of verbal and non-verbal material, writing difficulties and deficits in understanding logical-grammatical constructions (C.J. Long2005). Other effects of extensive activity injuries: - easy distraction - memory disorders - defects in the sense of time - decreased anxiety - less critical of oneself - difficulty with unfamiliar analogies - impulsiveness