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Phineas Cage

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Phineas Cage reportedly experienced profound personality and behavioral changes during the time period immediately following an accident where a tamping rod was driven through his frontal lobe. Discuss the extent to which the nature of his injuries and subsequent behavior change were the result of biological changes, or if they could have been due to other, possibly "social" causes.

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This solution discusses the case of Phineas Cage's brain damage.

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The case surrounding Phineas Cage initiated a famous case in neuroscience. Neuroscience is concerned with the study of various scientific disciplines involving the structure and function of the nervous system (Pinel, 2006). Cage was involved in an accident attempting to pack explosive gunpowder. The tamping iron that he used to pack the gunpowder slipped, and penetrated his brain exiting through his skull. Cage lived after the tragic ordeal, but suffered severe brain damage Tomey, 2010).

The research suggests that after the accident, Phineas Cage's behavioral changes were more socially oriented than biological. For instance, according to Tomey, Cage began to use extreme profanity, and could not stick to plans. In addition, he began to show little concern for others. ...

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