Damage to the parietal lobe can cause a condition where ignore objects in one half of there visual field (they are not aware of it). 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- Inverse projection problem
- Viewpoint invariance
- Helmholtz's Theory of Unconscious Inference
- Principles of perceptual organization
- Regularities in the environment
- Unilateral neglect

Focuses of visual perception

Situated directly behind the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe is primarily responsible for processing sensory information from various parts of the body. A key structure within this lobe is the somatosensory cortex, which is essential for this function.

Parietal Lobe

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

The problem of trying discern what an object is based on the pattern it leaves on a retina. One pattern can have many different potential mappings (could have come from many different objects). 

Inverse projection problem

The capability of being able to recognize what an object is from various different viewpoints.

Viewpoint invariance

Helmholtz recognized that the image on the retina is ambiguous (the pattern on the retina could be from many things: the inverse projection problem). He posited that the brain uses unconscious inference to determine what the pattern likely is, based on other evidence about the environment.

Helmholtz's Theory of Unconscious Inference

Proposed by Gestalt psychologists, the principles of perceptual organization explain how humans group sensory stimuli to form meaningful wholes, differing from structuralism's view that perception is just the sum of sensations. These principles include:
- The principle of good continuation
- The principle of good figure (law of pragnanz or principle of simplicity)
- The principle of similarity
- The principle of proximity
- The principle of closure

Principles of perceptual organization

Characteristics in the environment that occur frequently. Two major types are:
- Physical regularities
- Semantic regularities

Regularities in the environment

Unilateral neglect

Housed within the parietal lobe, the somatosensory cortex is crucial for processing a range of sensory information from across the body, including touch, temperature, and pain. This area of the brain is organized such that distinct regions are dedicated to processing sensations from different parts of the body.

Somatosensory Cortex

The left hemisphere relates to problem solving, math, advanced grammar, attention, and association. 

Left Hemisphere of Parietal Lobe

The right hemisphere connects to spatial awareness, and geometry.  

Right Hemisphere of Parietal Lobe

The following areas of brain lobes can be considered when implementing neurofeedback:

- Parietal lobes
- Frontal lobes
- Temporal lobes
- Occipital lobes
- Sensorimotor cortex
- Cingulate gyrus
- Broca's area
- Left hemisphere
- Right hemisphere

Brain Lobe Considerations When Using Neurofeedback

Considerations with the parietal lobes include:
- Sense of direction
- Learning disorders
- Dyscalculia

Parietal Lobes Associated Conditions 

Based on the information provided in the case study, which of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex is most likely damaged? Justify your answer by explaining the connection between the patient's symptom and the primary function of that lobe.

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