Читать книгу The Handy Psychology Answer Book - Lisa J. Cohen - Страница 291

In 1964, Paul D. MacLean (1913–2007) divided the brain into three general regions, the reptilian, paleomammalian, and neomammalian regions, which he believed to correspond with different periods of evolution. The neomammalian region of the brain refers to the neocortex, which includes the frontal lobe and most cortical regions. These parts of the brain are most developed in more complex and evolutionarily younger mammals, such as primates. The paleomammalian region incorporates the limbic system, which is found in all mammals. The reptilian area of the brain refers to the brain stem and the cerebellum, phylogenetically ancient regions that are found in some of the most ancient and primitive species (e.g., reptiles). Although MacLean’s triune model has been criticized as overly simplistic, it does provide a useful way for non-specialists to picture the brain.