Cognition refers to the higher order functions that are needed for learning and interacting with a person's environment. Each human brain is capable of multiple cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, executive functions and language. Each of the cognitive brain functions are highly interconnected, with an exchange of information between functions.
Memory and Attention
Memory is essential for learning, but before a person can recall a fact, the information must go through multiple stages. Georgia Tech states that memory starts with incoming sensory information from visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Once the brain receives the sensory information, selective attention chooses which information the brain wants to process and retain. The hippocampus then processes the short term memories, and they are then stored in the neocortex. When the memories are in the neocortex, they are permanent and can be recalled without activating the hippocampus (free recall). If a short-term memory is not processed through the hippocampus, the information is lost.
Executive Functions
The University of California, San Francisco defines executive functions as higher order organization skills and regulation skills. When a person uses organizational executive functions, she is using her attention, problem solving and decision making abilities. Planning and sequencing, which is putting items in a certain order, are also organizational executive functions. The regulation side of executive functions are responsible for the actual execution of a task. It starts with the initiation of the task, and controls the person's self-control and self-regulation when working on it. Executive functions are located in the frontal cortex of the brain.
Language
Language, another cognitive brain function, is connected to memory and executive functions. The human brain has two language centers: Broca's area and Wernicke's area. Broca's area, in the frontal lobe of the brain, is responsible for speech production. Wernicke's area, in the temporal lobe with some crossover in the parietal lobe, is responsible for language comprehension. The two language areas are connected by the arcuate fasciculus. Language is a lateralized brain function, meaning that both language areas are found on only one side of the brain. The University of Washington notes that in 97 percent of people have both Broca's area and Wernicke's area on the left hemisphere of the brain.
