Learning and Memory - Essay Example

Reaction Paper to the Journal: Hemispheric Specialization and Auditory Processing al Affiliation) Reaction Paper to theJournal: Hemispheric Specialization and Auditory ProcessingThis paper examines the journal article written by Amy Poremba, PhD titled Hemispheric Specialization and Auditory Processing. This journal discusses the two hemispheres of the brain ascribed to different duties that enable an individual to process information and perform auditory functions. According to Dr. Poremba, the left hemisphere of the human brain processes complex auditory signals.

The cortex area in the head that undertakes auditory processing is bigger than previously thought. Research done on primates indicates that the auditory system situated on the left hemisphere performs the function of processing vocalizations (Poremba, 2006).The learning process involves listening to voices, since communication forms the core of the process. Behavioral studies show that most primates turn their heads to the right when they hear vocals from behind them. This indicates that a vocal-processing preference is attached to the left hemisphere of the brain.

Human beings exhibit similar behavior. Further tests in monkeys revealed that there is a significant difference in the metabolic activity on the left side of the brain compared to the right side when they respond to sound. However, there was stronger stimulation in the right hemisphere. This stimulation was located in the temporal gyrus (Superior). This part of the brain is the auditory cortex (Poremba, 2006). The left side of the brain is responsible for functions such as language and grammar, sequential thinking, good speech formulation and analysis of facts while the right side is responsible for functions such as poetry or metaphor processing, spatial orientation, recognition of faces, insight, imagination and rhyme.

This article was preferable because the findings come from research work by specialists in the human brain. Dr. Poremba has considerable experience on matters of the brain. In this article, she explains the functions of the brain, highlighting the different parts that undertake different activities. With such detailed information, this document makes the brain a less complicated organ to study. The journal article explains the relationship between the activities of the brain and the learning process.

Therefore, this journal article provided essential information that is relevant to this course.The most interesting information from this article is the fact that the brain works as a unit. Dr. Poremba posits that although the brain has two hemispheres, which specialize in different functions, none of the hemispheres works independently of each other. This gives human beings the ability to coordinate activities in their brains. A combination of the functions of the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere makes people to perform basic activities such as movement, speech, vocal recognition, creativity and even coordinated thought.

The splitting of the human brain into two hemispheres explains most human behavior, since the function s of the two hemispheres differ (Poremba, 2006). Another intriguing fact is that language does not reside on the left side of the brain, as most people know. Rather, only the processing of language takes place in the left hemisphere. Another interesting fact is that the design of the human auditory system resembles the design of the visual system. Aside from explaining how the brain processes information and performs activities such as cognitive and auditory activities, the journal provides facts on how the human brain works to espouse coordination.

Most people are not privy to the fact that their brains have two hemispheres that work differently yet operate in liaison with each other (Poremba, 2006). The information on this journal article is essential to psychology students who are keen to understand human behavior. By studying this article, an individual becomes familiar with the brain functions as opposed to knowing just the basic parts. Knowledge of the inner parts of the brain makes it easier to understand the various functions undertaken by both hemispheres of the brain.

The information in the article improves the basic knowledge that people have on the functions of the brain.ReferencesPoremba, A. (2006). Auditory Processing and Hemispheric Specialization in Non-Human Primates. Cortex, 42(1).