Motivational and Cognitive Control - Essay Example

The orchestration of actions and goals in line with the internal goals is a basic role played by this brain part. Research shows that the destruction of the anterior two-thirds of this part of the brain leads to deficits in judgment, orientation, concentration, abstract ability, and problem-solving ability. The prefrontal cortex performs an executive function. The executive function comprises the ability to distinguish between conflicting thoughts, the ability to differentiate good from bad, same and different, and the future consequences of current activities. It helps one to predict future outcomes, work towards a defined goal, and make expectations based on individual actions and social control. The social control function ensures that one can suppress urges that may result in unacceptable social outcomes if not suppressed.

The damage to the prefrontal cortex results in executive dysfunction (Passingham & Wise, 2012). Executive dysfunction refers to the disruption of the efficacy of the executive functions. The executive functions are a group of cognitive processes that control, regulate and manage other cognitive processes. Executive dysfunction refers on most occasions to both the behavioral symptoms and the neurocognitive deficits. The situation results in mental disorders and numerous psychopathologies. It also results in long-term and short-term changes in non-clinical control. Goal-oriented behavior is thus affected. Read More