Area 2- child Flashcards
what are the 2 aspects looked at in background of topic 2
risk taking behaviours and brain development
what age is adolescence
12-19
when does the brain fully develop
25
when are there the most neurones
childhood
why is the brain classed as hierarchical
grows inside out - bottom is biology, top is psychology- takes longer to develop
what is the limbic system
collection of brain structures including amygdala and is connected to ventral striatum and nucleus accumbens
when does the limbic system develop and what does it do
through childhood and adolescence
process emotional experiences and regulate emotions
what is the cerebral cortex
thin layer covering most of the brain -most of thinking takes place and is divided into a number of cortices
what is the frontal cortex
controls high cognitive functions that psychologists call executive functions such as problem solving and decision making
what is the visual/auditory cortex
sensory processing of information takes place
what is the motor cortex
movement related information is processed
when does the cerebral cortex reach maturity
late adolescence - takes control of limbic system
what is synaptogenesis/ when does it take place/ what is it useful for
process of new synapses forming between neurones - axons and dendrites grow towards each other to form networks
takes place before birth and continues postnatally- exuberant synaptogenesis where a million synapses are formed every second
more synapses- greater cognitive processing
brains become less fixed and more open to alteration through learning and experience
what percentage of weight is the brain at birth compared to adult brain weight
25% but by 2 is 75%
what is myelination
myelin- fatty substance that insulates neurones to allow neurones to conduct electrical impulses more efficiently e.g., hand eye coordination improves as neurones become myelinated
when is myelination the most rapid
first 2 years
what is meant by exuberant synaptogenesis being genetically programmed
produce many more synaptic connections than necessary- twice as many synapses in 3 year old compared to adult brain
what is synaptic pruning
fine tunes brain structures and functioning and works by use it or chose it principle - neurones that are used most often experience greater neurotransmitter activity which strengthens synapses but inactive ones are pruned - gives organisation of specialised areas for certain functions
those that survive pruning become myelinated
what did willoughby find
morality increases in adolescence across western cultures as do unintentional injuries
many disabilites and deaths are preventable but often linked with risk taking behaviours
what is the dual system theory - sternburg
risk taking is directed by interaction of two brain systems that mature at different times
what is the ventral striatum
emotional regulating system - matures in early adolescence
changes are due to increased activity of neurotransmitter dopamine
what does the ventral striatum include
nucleus accumbens- brains reward system- sensation seeking behaviour
what age does the VS have greater sensitivity to rewards
adolescence
what did johnston find
changes in VS are almost exactly matched with increase in arrests for criminals that peek mid/late adolescence and sex difference males peak at 19, females at 16