We are so used to our brain functioning automatically, we don’t spend much time thinking about what is going on in there. Walking, eating, reading, speaking – all of these seem natural and easy, but every single thing we do is achieved through a series of tasks the brain performs. So what does it do?
I have listed 10 different brain functions your clever, busy brain is doing for you – it is on the job 24 hours a day!
Working Memory
Did your school day always start with 20 ‘mental’ tasks? Whether you love mental arithmetic of not you will certainly be familiar with working out a problem in your head. When your brain holds multiple units of information and manipulates them to actually solve the problem in your head, you are using a mental capacity known as working memory. Working memory is a vital ingredient for learning and decision-making.
Regulating Emotions
If you are like most of us, at some point you work as part of a team. Maybe you find a team member is doing something you really disagree with and it makes you angry. Are you going to release the full wrath of this anger toward this person? Hopefully not! This is thanks to the brain function called ’emotional regulation’ which helps you control your emotions so you can act appropriately and deal with any emotional situation you encounter.
Interpret Sensory Information
When you smell a sweet, buttery scent do you recognise it as chocolate? Even with your eyes shut could you tell if you were petting a cat or a dog? In both cases, yes, you will and this is because your brain is able to interpret sensory information.
Theory of Mind
How would you feel if your friend suddenly announced their promotion at work? You would probably be extremely happy and be able to imagine exactly what they were thinking. This is due to the brain function known as theory of mind meaning you have insight into other people’s worlds.
Sequencing
Perhaps you have a project you need to complete for work. Before you start, you will need to decide what step to take first, then the rest of the steps in sequence. The ability of your brain to do this, and put steps in order from most to least important is known as sequencing.
Inhibition
Are you on a diet? How do you keep yourself from eating a chocolate bar? Actually, your brain does it for you with a function known as inhibition.
Attention
Imagine being on the beach. There are people around you, children playing and laughing, the waves beating against the shore. Yet, you are still able to block all of that out and focus your attention on the book you are reading. This is another brain function known as attention. This is the ability to focus on a certain thought, action or deed.
Short-Term Memory vs. Long Term Memory
When you can recall a phone number you have just been given and remember what you were doing three summers ago, you might think you are simply using your memory, but in truth, you are using two different types of memory. Remembering the new phone number uses short-term memory, which is limited storage you will soon forget and remembering your summer from years ago is using long term memory, which is practically unlimited.
Motor Function
When you walk down the street, type on a computer or shake a hand, you are using the motor function of your brain. This is the ability for us to move our bodies and manipulate objects.
Visual and Spatial Processing
Last but not least. When you see the image of a green man at the pedestrian crossing lights, you recognise that as the sign to cross the road, right? This is because your brain is using its visual abilities.
As you can see, we need much more than “memory” or “intelligence” in order to enjoy our lives, so it is important to learn how to enhance and maintain a variety of brain functions, not just one. The brain is working constantly – even though we don’t realise it all the time – and you are now aware there are many important functions that occur you probably didn’t know about. What you do with this knowledge now is up to you.