Learning Brain Hierarchy

Perry & Purnell Model — information processes bottom-up

Learning Brain Hierarchy — Perry/Purnell Model Bottom-up pyramid showing four brain regions: Brainstem (Autonomic), Diencephalon (Arousal), Limbic (Affiliation), and Neocortex (Rigor). Learning Brain Hierarchy Perry / Purnell model — information processes bottom-up Bottom-up processing Brainstem Autonomic regulation Safety · Survival Heart rate · Breathing Diencephalon Arousal & alertness Movement · Rhythm Regulation · Tone Limbic system Affiliation & emotion Belonging · Trust Emotional memory Neocortex Abstract thought Reason · Language Rigor · Abstraction Regulate → Relate → Reason — learning requires all three lower layers first
Layer 1 — Base
Brainstem
Autonomic · Safety · Survival · Heart rate · Breathing
Layer 2 — Arousal
Diencephalon
Alertness · Rhythm · Movement · Regulation
Layer 3 — Relational
Limbic system
Affiliation · Trust · Belonging · Emotion
Layer 4 — Apex
Neocortex
Rigor · Reasoning · Language · Abstraction