4: The Developing Brain

Question 1

which philosopher was big into nature?

Answer 1

Galton

Question 2

which 3 famous psychologists were big into nurture?

Answer 2

Freud; Vygotsky; Skinner’s

Question 3

which famous psychologist was into the interactions between environment and genetics?

Answer 3

Piaget

Question 4

define: predetermined development

Answer 4

genes -> brain structure -> brain function -> experience
this is a one way street

Question 5

define: probabilistic development

Answer 5

genes <-> brain structure <-> brain function <-> experience
this is a constant interaction

Question 6

who came up with predetermined & probabilistic models of development?

Answer 6

Gottlieb

Question 7

during early development, how many neurons are produced per minute?

Answer 7

250,000

Question 8

what occurs in the proliferate zones?

Answer 8

neurons and glial cells are produced

Question 9

how does the neural tube differentiate at 3-4 weeks?

Answer 9

Stage 1: Forebrain (prosencephalon), Midbrain (mesencephalon) & Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)
(3 primary brain vesicles)

Question 10

how does the neural tube differentiate at 5 weeks?

Answer 10

Stage 2:
forebrain -> telencephalon & diencephalon
midbrain -> mesencephalon
hindbrain -> metencephalon & myelencephalon
(5 secondary brain vesicles)

Question 11

wat influences the folded cortex of the brain?

Answer 11

the number of neurons

Question 12

what influences the pattern of gyri/sulci?

Answer 12

tension of axon bundles (white matter tracts)

Question 13

how does Hebbian learning influence brain development?

Answer 13

Spontaneous electrical activity enables networks to form (e.g. electric activity from the retina helps to form the visual pathways)

Question 14

what 3 factors influence the post-natal increase in brain size?

Answer 14

o Synaptogenesis
o Myelination
o Glial cell proliferation

Question 15

what does a newborn’s brain weigh?

Answer 15

450g

Question 16

what does an adult’s brain weigh?

Answer 16

1400g

Question 17

what physically changes as a result of the brain’s plasticity?

Answer 17

Increased grey matter: new synapses, dendrites, axon collaterals, glia cells

Question 18

define: Filial imprinting

Answer 18

the process by which young animals learn
to recognize their parent

Question 19

what is the critical period for filial imprinting?

Answer 19

15h – 3 days

Question 20

what are the 2 explanations for critical learning periods?

Answer 20

genetically programmed synaptogenesis & closure of window

Question 21

explain the genetically programmed synaptogenesis explanation of critical periods

Answer 21

Genetically programmed synaptogenesis (readies brain for learning), followed by reduced plasticity (learned information is then “fossilised”)

Question 22

explain the closure window explanation of critical periods

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what are the limitations of fMRI in developmental research?

Answer 23

• Infants won’t perform tasks and they won’t even stay still
• Loud, restrictive environment

Question 24

what is the preferred neuroscience measure technique for working with infants and why?

Answer 24

EEG (Electroencephalography)/ERPs (Event-related potentials)
- Infant friendly EEG: systems/solutions that allow quick installation, Infant friendly stimuli, and more breaks during the study

Question 25

what ERP peak differences do infants show compared to adults in regards to attention?

Answer 25

N300-700 response linked to attention larger peak in infants (suggests higher attention) & only present in infants

Question 26

what is an example of a behavioural method to measure brain development?

Answer 26

preferential looking task

Question 27

what is a common difference in infant vs adult ERPs?

Answer 27

Some adult ERP peaks are present in infants, but delayed, eg: N1/N290: Perceptual and/or face specific component