The Frontal lobes - Mahidol University

19/07/54
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning,
Hypothesis Testing and Modulation of
Cognition
The overriding function of the frontal areas
is to modulate and control motor function,
emotion, attention and other cognitive
activity.
Virtually all aspects of frontal lobe impairment
can be considered a specific aspect
of a general deficit of control.
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning, Hypothesis
Testing and Modulation of Cognition
In the domain of reasoning, a deficit of
modulation is manifested as poor abstract
reasoning and failure to maintain goal‐
directed behavior.
Abstract reasoning involves making complex
associations between semantic elements
and identifying super‐ordinate categories,
reasoning by general rules and formulating
hypotheses.
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning,
Hypothesis Testing and Modulation of
Cognition
If abstract reasoning is not present then the
patient has difficulty formulating the
super‐ordinate category that subsumes
individual semantic elements.
For example, the patient may not be able to reason that
cars, trains, airplanes and the like, are members of the
category of modes of transportation.
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning,
Hypothesis Testing and Modulation of
Cognition
Another manifestation of abstract reasoning
involves the development of rules that
guide future behavior.
The reasoning person identifies common
features and themes in the experiences of
everyday life and formulates general rules
that govern behavior in these situations.
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning,
Hypothesis Testing and Modulation of
Cognition
Rules may also be taught by others but reasoning
people usually verify and endorse
the validity of rules before using them.
People who have sustained injury to the
frontal lobes have difficulty formulating
these rules.
Impairment of Abstract Reasoning,
Hypothesis Testing and Modulation
of Cognition
Indeed, even if a rule is given to the patient
there is still great difficulty in using it to
guide bh behavior.
As a result of this general inability to
formulate and use rules, the patient
cannot conceptualize goal states and use
the goals as objectives to guide thought
and actions.
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