About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about how the human brain is structured, focusing in particular on: (i) the division of the brain into the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain; (ii) their constituent parts; (iii) the role of the medulla oblongata in controlling vital life functions; (iv) the function of the pons in relaying sensory information and the cerebellum in motor planning; (v) the midbrain and the role of the superior and inferior colliculi in vision and hearing; (vi) the forebrain, an area subdivided into the diencephalon and the telencephalon; (vii) two structures located in the diencephalon; (viii) the function of the thalamus as a sensory relay station and the role of the hypothalamus in maintaining homeostasis.

About the lecturer

Mr Kevin Silber is a senior lecturer at the University of Derby where he primarily teaches biological psychology modules. Mr Silber is also an AQA A-Level examiner and is involved in authoring texts for A-Level psychology. Having started life as a neuroscientist, Mr Silber’s research interests still lie in biologically oriented topics. However, his main research interest is now focused on body image. Some of Mr Silber’s recent publications include ‘Working memory in children: A developmental approach to the phonological coding of pictorial material’ (2011) and ‘Sexual orientation and the sleep-wake cycle: A preliminary investigation’ (2000).