Basics of Learning and Memory Flashcards
Lecture 5
Define learning
Learning is a process by which experience produces a relatively enduring and adaptive change in an organism’s capacity for behaviour
What are the subdivisions of learning?
Associative learning-> classical conditioning, operant conditioning.
Non associative learning -> Habituation, sensitisation, perceptual learning, motor learning, observation learning
Define associative learning
Changes in knowledge or behaviour as a result of association between two or more event/stimuli
How does associative learning work?
Humans associate two or more things that occur close together in space and time particularly if it is frequent and is accompanied by a significant event
What case study is used to support classical conditioning? (human study)
Little Albert- conditioned phobia of white mice
What is second order conditioning?
Pairing a conditioned stimulus with a new neutral stimulus - this is usually weaker than the original pairing
What is extinction?
Learned behaviour ceases
What is spontaneous recovery?
Extinguished behaviour reappears - the response is not totally unlearned by it is weaker
What are the neural correlates of classical conditioning?
Amygdala and lateral nucleus
How can associative learning be used therapeutically?
Understanding the foundations of learning can form the basis of unlearning fears and trauma responses
List the therapeutic techniques based off of associative learning
Systematic desensitisation, flooding, aversion therapy
What is operant conditioning?
Humans learning that a certain behaviour elicits a certain outcome
Who first introduced the concept of operant conditioning and why?
Thorndike (1898) because he wanted to disprove advanced intelligence in animals
Who is the father of behaviourism?
Skinner
Define operant conditioning
Learning in which the consequences of behaviour affects the probability of the behaviour will be repeated
What is reinforcement?
The consequence of the behaviour increases the likelihood of repeating the behaviour
What are the brain bases involved in reinforcement?
Prefrontal cortex, Nucleus accumbens, Mesocorticolimbic, substentia
List non-associative learning methods
Habituation, Sensitisation, perceptual learning, Motor learning and observational learning
Explain habituation
Decreasing response to a certain stimulus as a result of repeated exposure over time
Define sensitisation
Progressively heightened awareness/responsiveness to a stimuli for a period of time
What is perceptual learning?
Learning to recognise entirely new things or variation in things that we already know and adapting to that change
What is motor learning?
Learning of sequences of motor responses
What area of the brain are involved in motor learning?
Motor cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellum
What is observational learning?
Learning through the observation/experiences of other rather than from out own experience (vicarious reinforcement)
What are the mediational processes?
Cognitive processes such as : attention, retention, motor reproduction and reinforcement
What is memory?
The retention of learned behaviour, associated with long term changes in the nervous system
Where does the transition from learning to long term memory occur?
Long term potentiation in the hippocampal
What is the neuroanatomy of declarative memory?
Inferior temporal cortex- visual memories
Amygdala - strengthening emotionally significant memories
Prefrontal cortex- Temporal order of events (working memory)
Cerebellum - memories for sensorimotor skills
Stratum- habit formation
