Thalamus - GCSE Psychology Definition

The thalamus is a small but important part of the brain that acts like a relay station, located in the centre of the brain. It helps pass on information from our senses, such as sight, sound, and touch, to relevant brain areas to regulate sensory processing and motor functioning. It is rather like a busy post office where messages are sent to the correct addresses. The thalamus also plays a role in attention and alertness, helping us stay focused on tasks. In GCSE Psychology, understanding the thalamus is important because it helps us learn about how our brain processes information from the world around us.