Phineas Gage Story
Autor: olufemi • December 13, 2015 • Term Paper • 443 Words (2 Pages) • 831 Views
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INTRODUCTION
BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
Phineas Gage was an intelligent, well balanced Foreman. He was a modest, reliable foreman who has the ability to make careful and well informed decisions.
ACCIDENT: There was an explosion that led into a rod passing through is left cheek into his brain. This resulted into damaging the tissue and surrounding tissues linking the lower frontal lobe and the upper frontal lobe
AFTER THE ACCIDENT: Phineas intellects remained intact. He could do complicated math’s problems and understood the logistics of railway road building. He was able to take care of himself as he did before the accident. But people found irrational and erratic, his behavior became rash; he had a temper and cursed harshly.
WHY THIS CHANGES?
Firstly, it is important to know that the brain is the control center for all human activity, including vital processes (breathing and moving) as well as thinking, judgment, and emotional reactions. A Healthy Brain should have an emotional limbic system that passes emotions to the intellectual frontal cortex which then design priorities to the message received.
According to research, there were two prominent schools of thought as regards Gage’s case
The 1st group: The brain is connected by Vital forces. Due to this Vital force any part of the brain could perform any of its function. Reason why Phineas gage could still behave and perform like anyone else even having lost a large piece of his brain
The 2nd group: The brain has different part with localized specific functions. That is, different part of the brain does different things. These parts were known to be faculties. So Phineas’ lost the key component of his social brain; the mechanism that helps in processing emotions and reasoning. The accident damaged the tissues and surrounding tissues of the frontal lobe which is known to be the central executive of the brain. So the limbic system is now free to fire in emotional messages without restraining exercise by the frontal cortex due to the iron rod penetration through his left cheek.
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