KKDP : 1 Neural Basis of Learning Flashcards
What are the 3 behaviours not dependent on learning?
Reflex actions, Fixed action patterns and maturation
Reflex Actions
A simple automatic, involuntary behaviour in response to an environmental stimulus
Do reflex actions require conscious thought?
Does not require conscious thought
What do reflexes allow
Reflexes allow organisms to deal with specific stimuli that are important for their protection or survival
What are fixed action patterns
An inborn series of movements or behaviours that occur in almost all members of a species in response to the same specific environmental stimuli
The behaviour is inherited by all members of the species, or one sex of the species and is complex
What is Maturation
It involves an orderly sequence of bodily changes, that occur due to development of nervous system structures
Reflex actions vs Fixed action patterns
Similarity
1. Both are innate and play a role in survival
Difference
- FAP’s are more complex and play a role in social behaviour
- Reflex actions do occur in humans, but FAPS do not (lower order species
How does learning effect neural pathways
Learning generally involves the formation of new neural pathways of a strengthening of existing connections between neutrons
What happens when we learn a new skill/information?
Neutrons form new connections with each other called synaptogenisis
Synaptogenesis
New sprouts, called filigree appendages begin to grow from the axon terminal towards the dendrites of neighbouring, post synaptic neurons
The more a pathway is activated during learning…
The more it is strengthened and it is less likely the learning will be forgotten
What are the neurotransmitters involved in learning?
Glutamate
Dopamine
Glutamate
Linked to learning and the process of encoding,
It is released by the presynaptic neuron and is excitatory which produces long lasting changes to the synapse
Dopamine
Closely associated with reward. Seeking behaviours such as addiction, dopamine is released as a motivational substance as a consequence of reward anticipation
How glutamate and dopamine act together
After repeated glutamate release, dopamine is usually stimulated which activates the genes in the neurons to make permanent changes to the pathway
What is learning?
It is a relatively permanent change in behaviour or knowledge that occurs as a result of experience
It can be active, passive, immediate or delayed
Plasticity
It is the ability of the brain’s neural structure to be changed by experience throughout the lifespan
Developmental plasticity
Changes in the brain’s neural structure in response to experience during its growth & development
adaptive plasticity
Changes in the brains neural structure that enables adjustment to experience, and/or to compensate for a loss of function in the event of brain damage.
What are the 5 steps involved in developmental plasticity
Proliferation Migration Circuit formation Circuit pruning Myelination
Proliferation
the process where the unborn baby’s cells that will become neurons divide and multiply
Migration
neurons move outwards to their destined location
Circuit Formation
the axons of new neurons grow out the target cells and form synapses with them.
Circuit Pruning
elimination of excess neurons and synapse that are not being used and have not established a connection with target cells.
Myelination
axon of the neurons in the child’s brain becomes covered in myelin.
What is involved in adaptive plasticity
Generally, adaptive plasticity enables the brain to compensate for damage by reorganising its structure.
what are the 2 processes of recovery found in adaptive plasticity
rerouting and sprouting.
rerouting
Rerouting involves an undamaged neuron that has lost a connection with an active neuron, seeking a new active neuron to connect with instead.
Sprouting
Sprouting involves the growth of new, bushier nerve fibres with more branches to make new connections.
What are sensitive periods (experience expectant learning)
1) The brain ‘expects’ and is primed for being exposed to environmental experiences resulting in a rewiring of the brain
2) the growing brain requires specific types of stimulation so that neural pathways are established
3) brain is dependent on the individual being exposed to certain experiences for these changes to occur
experience dependent learning
1) additional skills that are developed as a result of experience throughout our lifespan.
2) brain does not necessarily expect to be exposed to these experiences and therefore there is no optimal time for this time for this form of learning.
critical periods
Are very narrow stages of development during which organisms are pre-programmed to learn
