AP Psychology Practice Test

The sensory cortex is included in which part of the cerebral cortex?

1. Frontal lobes

2. Parietal lobes

3. Occipital lobes

4. Temporal lobes

The correct answer is: Parietal lobes

The sensory cortex, particularly the primary somatosensory cortex, is indeed located within the parietal lobes of the cerebral cortex. This area is responsible for processing sensory information from various parts of the body, allowing us to perceive touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception. Each section of the sensory cortex corresponds to specific body parts in a mapped arrangement known as the homunculus, which emphasizes the areas of the body that are most sensitive to tactile input. In contrast, the frontal lobes are primarily involved in higher cognitive functions, decision-making, and motor control. The occipital lobes are mainly responsible for visual processing, while the temporal lobes are key for auditory processing and memory. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes why the parietal lobes are correctly identified as the location of the sensory cortex.