Learning and Memory Flashcards
Learning
NS acquires new info
Memory
mechanism of storage and retrieval of that information
Non-associative Learning
exposure once or repeatedly to stimuli to learn about stimulus
Types of Non-associative Learning
Habituation and Sensitization
Associative Learning
Formation of associations among stimuli and/or responses
Types of associative learning
Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
novel stimulus (bell) learned to elicit same unconditioned response (salivating) as unconditioned stimulus (food), so that the novel stimulus (bell) elicits a conditioned response (salivating)
Operant Conditioning
use of reinforcement or punishment to increase/decrease the likelihood of a behavior
Operant conditioning - reinforcement
increases the likelihood of a behavior by presenting a pleasurable stimulus (positive reinforcement) or by removing an averse stimulus (negative reinforcement)
Operant conditioning - punishment
decreases the likelihood of a behavior by presenting an averse stimuli (positive punishment) or removing a pleasurable stimuli (negative punishment)
Social Learning/Modeling
imitation and observation of role models to understand consequences and learn new behaviors
Cognitive Behaviorism
Learning environment based on past experiences influences subsequent learning and performance (expectations, responses, settings)
Explicit Memory
conscious memory that is available for recall and can be expressed by language
types of explicit memory
Episodic, Semantic, Autobiographical, and spatial
Implicit memory
acquired and retrieved at an unconscious level, such as motor behaviors, conditioned reflexes, emotional responses
Sensory Memory
ongoing experiences, utilizes unconscious, lasts for fraction of a second
Short-term Memory
hold information in consciousness for seconds-minutes (memory buffer)
Intermediate-term Memory
Hold information in consciousness for a few hours (cramming)
Long-term Memory
Stored for days/weeks/years acquired in the past, dropped from consciousness and revisited later
Memory Consolidation
transfer of memories from short–>intermediate–>long term
If a memory doesn’t pass through consolidation
it will be lost permanently
Remembering
retrieval of a memory from intermediate or long term, or rehearsal of short term memory
Problem with recall
difficulty retrieving that memory
Memory Mechanisms
- Need or interest
- Motivation to pay attention
- Concentration for memorization
- Organization for easy retrieval
Causes for forgetting
lack of need/interest/motivation, lack of attention/concentration, lack of organization
Reverberating Circuits in Short-term memory
ongoing neural activity maintained via excitatory feedback, memory maintained until neuronal activity is stopped
Habituation Physiology of Short-term memory
Repetitive stimuli –> decreased Ca channels and influx –> decreased NT –> transient decreased postsynaptic activity–> decreased behavioral response
Sensitization Physiology of SHort-term memory
Strong stimuli –> Serotonin –> blocked K channels –> Ca influx –> increased NT –> transient increased postsynaptic activity –> increased behavioral response
Long-term memory Physiology
Increased number of synapses, altered NT release, altered properties of membranes, altered protein expression
Long-term Memory and Synaptic Strength
Long term potentiation and long term depression contribute to synaptic plasticity
Long term potentiation factor
lasts for days to weeks for consolidation of short-term memories, in hippocampus, involves change sin presynaptic (increases NT release) neuron and postsynaptic (increased receptor) neuron
Long term potentiation factor mechanism
NMDA receptors increase on postsynaptic neuron, kinases are activated, alter protein synthesis, change in synaptic structure
Explicit Memory is acquired
3 polymodal association cortices (prefrontal, limbic, and parieto-occipital-temporal cortices)
Explicit information is sent from polymodal cortices to
parahippocampal and perirhinal to ENTORHINAL
Damage to ENTORHINAL cortex
severe damage to explicit memory storage
Hippocampal and thalamic nuclei play a role in
determining which memories are stored
Lesion to the medial temporal lobe
long-term storage of new memories interfered
Storage of episodic and sematic knowledge occurs in
association areas
Working Memory
prefrontal cortex, temporary storage of info for future actions
Implicit memory gained through fear conditioning is stored in
amygdala
Implicit memory gained through operant conditioning is stored in
striatum and cerebellum
Hippocampal damage results in impairment of
explicit memories, but not implicit
Amnesia
inability to learn new information or to retrieve information acquired
Amnesia patients
difficulty with a block of time despite alertness
Retrograde amnesia
inability to remember past events (recent) due to trauma, loss of short-term memories prior to consolidation
Anterograde amnesia
difficulty forming new long-term memories, lesion in temporal lobes (hippocampus)
Aging and memory loss
due to loss of connections between neurons as we age
Dementia
impaired memory and cognitive capabilities
