Final answer:
Cognitive functions related to following implicit instructions mainly involve the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe. Decreased brain activation may occur in areas not engaged in executive functions, such as the b. occipital cortex, when responding to such instructions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responding to implicit instructions typically involves cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and executive functions that are associated with the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe. The prefrontal cortex is vital for working memory and for inhibiting distracting thoughts to focus on a goal. While the frontal lobe is responsible for motor functions and executive functions, sensory cortical areas located in the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes generally deal with processing sensory information rather than directly generating motor commands or responding to implicit instructions.
Therefore, when responding to implicit instructions, there could be a decreased brain activation in parts of the brain that are not directly involved in executive function or goal-directed behaviors, such as the occipital cortex which is primarily involved in vision. However, this does not mean that the occipital cortex is the only part that can show decreased activation as other parts not directly engaged in the task at hand may also show less activity.