DEP 2000: The Brain

The human brain is the control center of the body and one of the most complex biological systems ever studied. It directs everything we think, feel, and do. It controls movement, memory, emotions, learning, and decision-making. The brain is made up of billions of specialized nerve cells called neurons, which communicate with one another through electrical and chemical signals. These connections form intricate networks that allow us to process information, solve problems, and interact with the world around us.

Over the past several decades, scientists have made major advances in understanding how the brain develops and functions. Studies have shown that brain development is not a single event but a dynamic and adaptive process that begins early in prenatal life and continues throughout the lifespan. It is shaped by both genetic factors and environmental influences, meaning that while genes provide the foundation for brain structure, life experiences also play a powerful role in shaping how the brain grows and adapts.

This ability of the brain to change and reorganize itself, known as neuroplasticity, is one of its most remarkable features. It allows humans to learn new skills, recover from injury, and adapt to new environments. Early experiences, education, and social interactions all influence how the brain develops throughout life. In short, the brain is not only a biological organ. It is also a living, evolving system. The brain continuously adapts to support human growth, learning, and behavior. Understanding the brain develops helps us better understand who we are, how we think, and how we change over time.

Stiles, J., & Jernigan, T. L. (2010). The basics of brain development. Neuropsychology Review, 20(4), 327–348. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21042938/

The human brain is divided into several key regions that work together to control every thought, movement, and body function. Each part has specialized roles, but all communicate constantly to keep the body balanced.

1. Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It controls voluntary movement, speech, thinking, learning, and memory. It also processes sensory information such as vision, hearing, and touch. The cerebrum is divided into the right and left hemispheres, which are connected by the corpus callosum, allowing both sides to communicate.

2. Cerebellum

Located below the cerebrum, the cerebellum is responsible for balance, posture, and coordination. It helps fine-tune movements and ensures that actions like walking or writing are controlled.

3. Brainstem

The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls essential automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep. It also manages reflexes and serves as a communication pathway between the brain and body.

4. Other Important Structures

• Thalamus: Relays sensory and motor signals between the body and the cerebral cortex.
• Hypothalamus: Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, hormones, and sleep cycles.
• Hippocampus: Helps form and store memories.
• Amygdala: Processes emotions such as fear and pleasure.

Together, these parts form an intricate system that enables humans to think, feel, move, and respond to the world around them.

Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 25). Brain: Parts, function, how it works & conditions. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22638-brain

Image by blueringmedia on Freepik. Used under Freepik License.

https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/colorful-human-brain-anatomy-vector-illustration_420563760.htm

The concept of childhood is actually a fairly new idea. In medieval times, children as young as seven were seen as “little adults,” expected to work, marry, and face adult responsibilities. It wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that scientists began to study how children grow and think differently from adults. Charles Darwin was one of the first to explore childhood behavior, and later, psychologist Jean Piaget developed one of the most famous theories of cognitive development.

• Birth to 2 years: Babies explore with their senses, recognize faces, and form attachments. They learn through repetition and begin to understand cause and effect.
• 2 to 5 years: Preschoolers engage in magical thinking — believing, for example, that the sun goes home because it’s tired. They are imaginative, egocentric, and begin learning early language, counting, and problem-solving skills.
• 6 to 12 years: School-age children develop logical thinking and understand physical rules, such as weight and volume. They learn to see things from multiple perspectives and master reading, writing, and reasoning.
• 12 years and older: Adolescents think abstractly and critically. They apply logic to school and life problems, explore moral and ethical ideas, and begin shaping their own identity and future goals.

Throughout life, the brain continues to grow and adapt. Experience, environment, and learning all shape how neural connections strengthen or change over time — showing that brain development is a lifelong
 

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023). Cognitive Development. In StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537095/

Image Credit: Image by Freepik, “Modern mind map with fun drawings,” used under Freepik license. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/modern-mind-map-with-fun-drawings_1291779.htm

Jean Piaget’s theory explains how children’s thinking grows more advanced as they move through four key stages of development. Each stage builds on the one before it, helping children better understand the world around them.

1. Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years)

• Babies learn through their senses and physical actions—touching, looking, and moving.
• They begin forming schemas (basic mental frameworks).
• They develop object permanence—realizing that things still exist even when out of sight.

2. Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 Years)

• Children start to use words, images, and symbols to represent objects.
• Thinking is still intuitive, not logical.
• They show egocentrism, meaning it’s hard to see things from someone else’s point of view.
• They don’t yet understand conservation (that quantity stays the same even when appearance changes).

3. Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 Years)

• Thinking becomes more logical and organized, but still tied to concrete experiences.
• Children understand conservation and can mentally reverse actions.
• They can classify objects and consider others’ thoughts and feelings more realistically.

4. Formal Operational Stage (12 Years and Older)

• Teens develop abstract and hypothetical thinking.
• They can reason through “what-if” situations and think scientifically.
• Concepts like morality, justice, and ethics become easier to understand.

McLeod, S. (2024, January 24). Piaget’s theory and stages of cognitive development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html

Image Credit: Image by Freepik, “Children flat set,” used under Freepik license. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/children-flat-set_4368601.ht

For students, By students - Honors College HOP, Fall 2025 Brianna W.