Chapter 10 : Neural basis of learning

Question 1

Define learning.

Answer 1

Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience.

Question 2

True or False.

Learning is an ongoing process that occurs throughout the lifespan.

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

True or False.
Temporary changes in behavior that are caused by illness or being under the influence of alcohol, are classified as learning.

Answer 3

False.

Question 4

Name the types of behaviors that are not dependent on learning.

Answer 4

Reflex actions, fixed-action patterns and maturation.

Question 5

What is a reflex action? Provide examples.

Answer 5

Reflex actions are automatic involuntarily behavior that does not require prior experience and occurs in the same way each time. For example, blinking, withdrawing your hand from a hot object, etc.

Question 6

Why is are reflex actions important?

Answer 6

Generally, reflexes allow people and animals to deal with specific stimuli that are important for their protection or survival through rigid automatic responses.

Question 7

What is a fixed action pattern? Provide examples.

Answer 7

A fixed action pattern is an innate predisposition to behave in a certain way in response to a specific environmental stimulus that is observable within a particular species or subgroup of a species. For example, worker bees performing a dance to indicate a nectar source, the migration of salmon fish, etc.

Question 8

True or False.

A fixed action pattern behavior is species-specific.

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

True or False.

Fixed action pattern behaviors can be changed as a result of learning.

Answer 9

False.

Question 10

State the similarities and differences between a reflex action and a fixed action pattern behavior.

Answer 10

Similarities…
- Both behaviors are not dependent on learning.
- Both behaviors are similar whenever it is executed.
- Automatic, involuntary.
Differences…
- Reflex actions are simple, whereas fixed action patterns are complex behaviors.
- Fixed action patterns are species specific, or occur in all members of the species.
- Reflex actions involve a single response, whereas fixed action patterns consists of a sequence of responses.

Question 11

True or False.

Fixed action patterns can be sex specific.

Answer 11

True.

Question 12

True or False.
Generally, the higher the order of the animal, the fewer its inborn or instinctive behaviors, and the more learning influences its behaviors.

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

Define maturation.

Answer 13

Maturation is a developmental process leading towards maturity based on the orderly sequence of changes that occur in the nervous system and other bodily structures controlled by genetic inheritance.

Question 14

Give examples of maturation.

Answer 14

Infants learning to crawl at around 8 months of age, a boy’s voice changing during puberty, etc.

Question 15

True or False.

Maturation can be influenced by practice.

Answer 15

False.

Question 16

What shape does the learning curve have?

Answer 16

An S-shape.

Question 17

Name the physical changes that take place in the brain as a result of learning.

Answer 17

• Strengthen the connection between neurons at the synapses within neural pathways.
• Establishment of new synapses, or neural connections.
• Reorganization of existing connections between neurons.

Question 18

What happens when the neurotransmitter is repeatedly sent across the synaptic gap?

Answer 18

The pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron are repeatedly activated at the same time, which changes the chemistry of the synapse, strengthening the neural connections at the synapse.

Question 19

True or False.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is necessary for learning.

Answer 19

True.

Question 20

Name the two main neurotransmitters that are involved in learning?

Answer 20

Glutamate and dopamine.

Question 21

What is the role of neurotransmitters in learning?

Answer 21

Contributes to the strengthening of synaptic connections.

Question 22

What role does glutamate have in learning?

Answer 22

It initiates activity in the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 23

True or False.

Dopamine is involved in reward-based learning.

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

Define plasticity.

Answer 24

Plasticity is the ability of the brain’s neural structure or function to be changed by experience throughout the lifespan.

Question 25

What areas of the brain have a higher level of plasticity than others?

Answer 25

The sensory and motor cortices.

Question 26

True or False.

The brain of a developing individuals is more plastic than that of an adult.

Answer 26

True.

Question 27

When is the brain considered the most plastic?

Answer 27

During specific times in development when the brain seems to be more responsive to certain experiences.

Question 28

True or False.
The more complex the experience in terms of of sensory input, the more distinctive the structural changes in neural tissue.

Answer 28

True.

Question 29

Name the two types of brain plasticity.

Answer 29

Developmental and adaptive plasticity.

Question 30

Define developmental plasticity.

Answer 30

Developmental plasticity refers to changes in the brain’s neural structure in response to experience during its growth and development.

Question 31

True or False.

Developmental plasticity generally diminishes with age.

Answer 31

True.

Question 32

What is developmental plasticity influenced by?

Answer 32

The genes we inherited, and experience.

Question 33

Define synaptogenesis.

Answer 33

Refers to the process of forming new synaptic connections.

Question 34

Define synaptic pruning.

Answer 34

Refers to the process of eliminating synaptic connections.

Question 35

True or False.

The infant brain has more synaptic connections than the brain of a mature adult.

Answer 35

True.

Question 36

Explain the “use it or lose it” rule in reference to synaptic pruning.

Answer 36

Synaptic connections that are frequently used are retained, whereas connections that are not decay and disappear.

Question 37

Define adaptive plasticity.

Answer 37

Adaptive plasticity refers to the change in the brain’s neural structure to enable adjustment to experience, to compensate for lost function and to maximize remaining functions in the event of brain damage.

Question 38

What is adaptive plasticity influenced by?

Answer 38

The location, degree and extent of the brain damage, and the age at which the damage is experienced.

Question 39

True or False.
Adaptive plasticity can take place at any time during the lifespan, but is typically more effective during infancy and childhood.

Answer 39

True.

Question 40

What are the two processes for recovery at the neuronal level?

Answer 40

Rerouting and sprouting.

Question 41

Explain the process of rerouting.

Answer 41

In rerouting, an undamaged neuron that has lost a connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead.

Question 42

Explain the process of sprouting.

Answer 42

Sprouting involves the growth of new bushier nerve fibers with more branches to make new connections.

Question 43

True or False.

Adaptive plasticity can occur at all levels of the central nervous system.

Answer 43

True.

Question 44

What influences the speed of recovery for brain damage?

Answer 44

Relevant types of experiences from activities.

Question 45

Define sensitive period.

Answer 45

A sensitive period is a period in development when an organism is more responsive to certain environmental stimuli or experiences.

Question 46

What happens if the specific skills or knowledge is not acquired during the sensitive period?

Answer 46

They may be acquired at a later time, but it will usually take more time, be more difficult, and the learning may not be as successful.

Question 47

True or False.

Certain skills or knowledge are more easily acquired during a sensitive period, such as oral language.

Answer 47

True.

Question 48

Generally, what is the sensitive period for learning to speak our native language?

Answer 48

About 12 years of age.

Question 49

Define experience-expectant learning. Provide examples.

Answer 49

Experience-expectant learning takes place when the brain encounters the experience that is expected, ideally in a sensitive period because this is the best time for it to occur. For example, exposure to language, hearing, etc.

Question 50

Define experience-dependent learning. Provide examples.

Answer 50

Experience-dependent learning refers to learning that depends on exposure to specific experience at any time during an individual’s development. For example, learning how to read or write in your native language.

Question 51

True or False.

Experience-dependent learning is unique to each individual.

Answer 51

True.

Question 52

Define critical period.

Answer 52

A critical period is a specific period in development during which an organism is most vulnerable to the deprivation of certain environmental stimuli or experiences.