Which brain function is mainly associated with the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is primarily associated with higher cognitive functions, which include complex processes such as decision-making, planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and the regulation of social behavior. This area of the brain is essential for executing functions that require abstract thinking and anticipating future consequences based on present actions, reflecting the higher-order processing that distinguishes human cognition.

While emotional regulation is influenced by the prefrontal cortex, it is more closely tied to the limbic system and other areas of the brain that manage emotions. Motor control is largely governed by other regions such as the motor cortex and basal ganglia, and visual processing primarily occurs in the occipital lobe, which is specifically dedicated to interpreting visual information. Hence, the role of the prefrontal cortex is distinct and critical in facilitating the advanced cognitive abilities that underpin much of human intellectual activity.