What term describes the area of the brain responsible for higher-level functions such as reasoning and memory?

The cerebrum is the part of the brain that is chiefly responsible for higher-level functions such as reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. It is divided into various lobes, each associated with different cognitive abilities, including the frontal lobe, which plays a key role in executive functions like planning and judgment, and the temporal lobe, which is critical for memory and understanding language.

This contrasts with the cerebellum, which is primarily involved in coordination and balance, the brainstem, which controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate, and the thalamus, which acts as a relay station for sensory information. Understanding the specific roles of these brain regions highlights the importance of the cerebrum in facilitating complex mental processes that define human cognitive abilities.