Learning and memory Flashcards
What is learning?
The process of acquiring information
What is memory?
Stored, retrievable information
Not a copy but interpretation of the environment often subjective, emotionally loaded representation
What are the memory processes?
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Reconsolidation/ Updating/Forgetting
What is encoding?
Converting information into useable, “processable” and “storable” form
What is storage?
Holding information (later use)
What is retrieval?
Recall of stored information
What is reconsolidation?
Memory traces become labile when recalled. Review/ repetition reconsolidates the trace
What is updating?
New experience modifies earlier memory traces. Similar situations can result in recall but then consolidation of an altered memory trace
What is forgetting?
“fading” and removal of stored information. Lack of reconsolidation?
What is Semantic memory?
Facts- words and their meanings, people, faces, objects, concepts- all filled into discrete categories. Conscious
What is Episodic memory?
“Snapshots” of life events. Conscious
What is declarative memory?
“Knowing that”
Memory of facts and events, and refers to those memories that can be consciously recalled
What is procedural memory?
“Knowing how”
Information acquired and retrieved unconsciously,including motor and cognitive skills and classical conditioning
Where in the brain is semantic and declarative memory occur?
Neocortex
Where in the brain does episodic memory occur?
Hippocampus
Where is the brain does procedural memory occur?
Basal ganglia, cerebellum
What is priming?
A earlier stimulus facilitates the recognition/identification of a second related stimulus
What is non-associative learning paradigms?
Learning about a single stimulus
Habituation (decreasing response to the stimulus)
Sensitisation (increasing response to the stimulus)
What is associative learning paradigms?
Classical conditioning- learning a relationship between two stimuli (cerebellum)
Fear conditioning- instantaneous association between a neutral and a fearful stimulus (depends on the amygdala)
Operant conditioning- learning a relationship between the organism’s behaviour (e.g. movement/act) and the consequences of that behaviour
What did Pavlov do?
Pavolv’s dog
Conditioned dog to associated bell sound with getting food
What is operant conditioning?
Skinner’s operant conditioning chamber (1930/31)
Animal’s action (e.g. pressing a lever) and consequence of that action for the animal
What is reinforcement?
e.g. food reward→ action repeated with increasing probability/frequency
What is punishment?
e.g. food shock→ action will be avoided
What is self stimulation?
Stimulating electrode or drug application canule in the brain- model of addictive behaviour (Olds and Milner, 1954)
What are other forms of learning?
Imprinting