4: The Developing Brain Flashcards
which philosopher was big into nature?
Galton
which 3 famous psychologists were big into nurture?
Freud; Vygotsky; Skinner’s
which famous psychologist was into the interactions between environment and genetics?
Piaget
define: predetermined development
genes -> brain structure -> brain function -> experience
this is a one way street
define: probabilistic development
genes <-> brain structure <-> brain function <-> experience
this is a constant interaction
who came up with predetermined & probabilistic models of development?
Gottlieb
during early development, how many neurons are produced per minute?
250,000
what occurs in the proliferate zones?
neurons and glial cells are produced
how does the neural tube differentiate at 3-4 weeks?
Stage 1: Forebrain (prosencephalon), Midbrain (mesencephalon) & Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
(3 primary brain vesicles)
how does the neural tube differentiate at 5 weeks?
Stage 2:
forebrain -> telencephalon & diencephalon
midbrain -> mesencephalon
hindbrain -> metencephalon & myelencephalon
(5 secondary brain vesicles)
wat influences the folded cortex of the brain?
the number of neurons
what influences the pattern of gyri/sulci?
tension of axon bundles (white matter tracts)
how does Hebbian learning influence brain development?
Spontaneous electrical activity enables networks to form (e.g. electric activity from the retina helps to form the visual pathways)
what 3 factors influence the post-natal increase in brain size?
o Synaptogenesis
o Myelination
o Glial cell proliferation
what does a newborn’s brain weigh?
450g
what does an adult’s brain weigh?
1400g
what physically changes as a result of the brain’s plasticity?
Increased grey matter: new synapses, dendrites, axon collaterals, glia cells
define: Filial imprinting
the process by which young animals learn
to recognize their parent
what is the critical period for filial imprinting?
15h – 3 days
what are the 2 explanations for critical learning periods?
genetically programmed synaptogenesis & closure of window
explain the genetically programmed synaptogenesis explanation of critical periods
Genetically programmed synaptogenesis (readies brain for learning), followed by reduced plasticity (learned information is then “fossilised”)
explain the closure window explanation of critical periods
Closure of window could be initiated by learning itself, i.e. an environmental cue - E.g. particular gene plays a role in filial imprinting, it is switched off after exposure
what are the limitations of fMRI in developmental research?
- Infants won’t perform tasks and they won’t even stay still
- Loud, restrictive environment
what is the preferred neuroscience measure technique for working with infants and why?
EEG (Electroencephalography)/ERPs (Event-related potentials)
- Infant friendly EEG: systems/solutions that allow quick installation, Infant friendly stimuli, and more breaks during the study
what ERP peak differences do infants show compared to adults in regards to attention?
N300-700 response linked to attention larger peak in infants (suggests higher attention) & only present in infants
what is an example of a behavioural method to measure brain development?
preferential looking task
what is a common difference in infant vs adult ERPs?
Some adult ERP peaks are present in infants, but delayed, eg: N1/N290: Perceptual and/or face specific component
