Final answer:
Cognitive functioning levels, from lowest to highest, go from sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, to formal operational stages. Memory functions related to temporal lobe structures like the hippocampus are fundamental, while judgment and abstract reasoning represent the highest order cognitive processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
To sequence the level of cognitive functioning from the lowest to highest function, we consider several aspects of neurocognitive ability as assessed in a mental status exam. This assessment encompasses orientation and memory, language and speech, sensorium, and judgment and abstract reasoning.
- Sensorimotor: This is the first and most basic level of cognitive functioning. In this stage, infants learn about the world through their sensory experiences and motor actions.
- Preoperational: The next level up where children begin to think symbolically but are still limited by egocentrism and a lack of mental operations.
- Concrete operational: Cognitive functions are further enhanced here, as children learn to think logically about concrete events.
- Formal operational: Represents the highest level of cognitive functioning, characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and deal with complex problems.
In terms of cerebral functions, memory functions are attributed to the temporal lobe, including the hippocampus and amygdala. This is often where assessment begins - starting with the most fundamental neurocognitive abilities and progressing to higher-order cognitive processes like judgment and abstract reasoning. These latter abilities contribute significantly to our distinctiveness as a species and represent the pinnacle of cognitive function.