What function is primarily attributed to the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex is primarily responsible for complex cognitive behaviors and decision-making. This region of the brain is involved in planning, reasoning, problem-solving, and managing social interactions. It plays a crucial role in executive functions, which include regulating attention, inhibiting inappropriate responses, and coordinating thoughts and actions to achieve specific goals.

In contrast, the other options represent functions of different areas of the brain. Processing visual information is mainly handled by the occipital lobe, which is specifically designed for visual perception. Regulating basic survival functions, such as heart rate and breathing, is primarily managed by the brainstem and other more primitive structures. Controlling motor functions is chiefly the responsibility of the motor cortex, which is located in the frontal lobe but not specifically within the prefrontal cortex. Thus, the choice highlighting the involvement in complex cognitive behavior and decision-making accurately reflects the primary function associated with the prefrontal cortex.