AP Psychology Practice Test 2026 - Free AP Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The occipital lobes are primarily responsible for visual processing. Located at the back of the brain, these lobes house the primary visual cortex, which receives and interprets information from the eyes. This area plays a crucial role in making sense of what we see, such as recognizing shapes, colors, and motion. The specialized neurons in the occipital lobes respond to various aspects of visual stimuli, allowing us to perceive and understand our environment visually.

The other options refer to functions associated with different areas of the brain. For instance, movement is primarily controlled by the motor cortex located in the frontal lobes, smelling involves structures primarily in the temporal lobes associated with the olfactory system, and touching sensations are processed by the somatosensory cortex found in the parietal lobes. Therefore, the specific function of the occipital lobes is to process visual information, confirming that seeing is indeed their main responsibility.