Learning and Memory Flashcards
What is learning?
Acquisition of information
What is memory?
Storage of learned information
What is recall?
Reacquisition of stored information
What is the engram?
Physical embodiment of a memory i.e. the physical and chemical changes from storing a memory
What are the main types of memory? (4)
- Procedural/declarative memory
- Implicit/explicit memory
What is procedural memory?
Skills that are largely unavailable to conscious mind e.g. riding a bike
What is declarative memory? (2)
- Factual information that is available to the conscious mind
- Can be encoded in symbols/language and transmitted between individuals
What is explicit memory?
Memory that can be consciously recalled
What is implicit memory?
Memory that can’t be consciously recalled
What are the 3 types of implicit memory?
- Procedural memory
- Classical conditioning
- Priming
What is priming?
When one stimulus influences the response to subsequent stimuli
What are the advantages of using ‘simple’ systems to study memory? (5)
- Neuronal size (easy to record from)
- Circuit complexity
- Temperature dependence mutations
- Mapping tools (genetic manipulation)
- Fewer ethical issues
What are the simple forms of memory? (2)
- Habituation
- Sensitisation
What is habituation?
Decrease in the amplitude of the response as the stimulus is repeated
What is sensitisation?
Increase in the amplitude of the response as the stimulus is repeated