Somatosensory Area - GCSE Psychology Definition

The somatosensory area is a part of the brain located in the parietal lobe that helps us process information from our senses, specifically touch. When you touch something, like a hot stove or a soft teddy bear, your nerves send signals to the somatosensory area. This area then helps you understand what you're feeling, such as temperature, texture, and pressure. It's like the brain's control centre for understanding what’s happening on the surface of your body. In GCSE Psychology, learning about the somatosensory area helps us understand how our brain interprets different types of physical sensations.