Biology - Draganski (2004)

Question 1

Neural Network

Answer 1

Usually called a neural circuit, a group of neurons interconnected by synapses to carry
out a specific function when activated

Question 2

Neural Pruning

Answer 2

Usually called synaptic pruning, refers to the process by which extra neurons and
synaptic connections are eliminated to increase the efficiency of neural transmissions.

Question 3

Long term potentiation

Answer 3

argues that the repetition of a task results in neuroplasticity- can lead to dendritic
branching or dendritic arborization which leads to an increase in neural density

Question 4

Experiment

Answer 4

Manipulating one variable to see if it causes changes in another variable

Question 5

Aim

Answer 5

See whether learning new skill- in this case juggling- would have an effect on the brains of
participants

Question 6

Procedure

Answer 6

All participants were non-jugglers at the start of the study
- Each participant had an MRI scan at the start of the study to serve as a base rate for grwy
matter and brain structure
- Two conditions: Jugglers and non-jugglers.
o Juggling condition were taught a three-ball cascade juggling routing and were
asked to practice and notify researchers when mastered. Then they had a second
MRI scan, then told not to juggle anymore. Then a final scan was carried out.
o Non-jugglers: Served as a control group
- To analyze MRI scans, researchers utilized voxel-morphometry to determine if there
were significant differences in neural density (grey matter) in the brains of jugglers vs.
non-jugglers.

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

Jugglers showed a significantly larger amount of grey matter in the mid-temporal area in
both hemispheres- an area associated with visual memory. Three months after the
participants stopped juggling- no longer to carry out the routine- the amount of grey
matter in these parts of the brain had decreased
- It appears juggling relies more on visual memory than on procedural memory (which
would more likely show change in the cerebellum or basal ganglia).

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

Pre-test and post-test design shows differences in neural density over time
- Experimental-showed cause and effect- study needs to be replicated to show reliable
- Potential issues with internal validity as the participants were in their home environments