Prefrontal Cortex

The Prefrontal Cortex likely came about later on in human evolution. This is the part of the brain responsible for executive function. It makes all of your decisions, processes language, performs analytical functions (like math and science) and conducts all of your critical thinking. It makes up approximately 12% of your brain. It begins to develop at the age of 8 years old and does not fully finish developing until you are 25 years old.

This is much of where the “ego” and “super-ego” would be housed from Freud’s theory of psychology. Although the driving force for both of these functions are ultimately deeper, unconscious, and irrational, they both make heavy use of the rational and censoring, self-critical functions of the prefrontal cortex.

Unlike the unconscious parts of the mind, which make quick, intuitive judgments, this part of the brain prefers taking its time and logically analyzing situations and problems.