PsychologyJuly 17, 2026
neocortex
/ˌniːoʊˈkɔːrtɛks/
Definition
The outermost, supposedly most evolved layer of the human brain, historically theorized to be responsible for higher-order functions like logic and reasoning.
Etymology
The word combines the Greek 'neos' (new) and the Latin 'cortex' (bark or outer layer). It entered modern scientific terminology in the early 20th century to describe the evolutionarily advanced part of the mammalian cerebral cortex.
In the news
In the article, the term is used to describe a debunked component of the 'triune brain' model. The author notes that researchers no longer accept this layered view of brain evolution.
Lizard Brains and Hidden Knowledge
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today