What Part of the Brain Controls Consciousness?

The part of the brain that controls consciousness is the frontal lobe. Other activities controlled by the frontal lobe include problem solving, decision making, emotions and control of purposeful behaviors.

The primary motor cortex controls voluntary movements and is considered to be part of the frontal lobe. In addition to the frontal lobe, the brain is made up of the following parts:

  • Primary sensory cortex
  • Parietal lobe
  • Temporal lobe
  • Occipital lobe
  • Cerebellum
  • Brain stem

The frontal lobe is part of four major divisions of the brain that make up the cerebral cortex, or outer layer of the brain. The parietal, temporal and occipital lobes make up the remaining three parts of the cerebral cortex.