Learning and Memory

Question 1

What is classical conditioning

Answer 1

Associative learning through experience

E.g dog salivation when bell is rung

Question 2

What is operant conditioning

Answer 2

Reinforcement and punishment.
E.g Rat placed in a skinner box learnt that pressing the lever = food

• Primary reinforcers - behaviours learnt for survival
• Secondary reinforcers- acquire power e.g money, praise and attention

Question 3

Describe the role of observation + imitation in learning

Answer 3

Not all behaviours are learnt through reinforcement or punishment

E.g Altruistic behaviours- giving to charity

Question 4

Explain 2 Application/Observation of classical conditioning in medicine

Answer 4

1. Chemotherapy patients having a conditioned response of vomiting/nausea with just going to the hospital- 25% of patients
2. Systematic desensitisation using increasingly scary situation list - e.g fear of injections - overcome with relaxation

Question 5

Application of operant conditioning in medicine

Answer 5

To improve at any task- immediate and frequent feedback on performance is required

• star charts for children
• performance related pay
• change in appearance with exercise
• smacking

Question 6

List 5 factors that might influence observation + imitation

Answer 6

Adult characteristics

1. Status
2. Friendliness
3. Power
4. Group/loss of individuality
5. Similarity -children’s preparation for surgery/hospitalisation??

Question 7

How does STM operate?

Answer 7

it is the working memory
consists of active neural nodes
Limited capacity of 7 +/- 2 items
Attention is crucial to move info from sensory memory to STM

Question 8

How does LTM operate?

Answer 8

Depends on formation of associations between nodes when they are active in working memory.
Rehearsal is crucial

Question 9

How does emotion affect learning and memory

Answer 9

Optimal/high arousal(more detail, narrow range)+less distraction = best learning

-Flashbulb analogy

However, in situations of heightened emotions, people tend to remember emotions rather than facts

Question 10

Discuss the importance of memory processes in doctor-patient communication and ADHERENCE

Answer 10

Attention to information does not lead to treatment adherence. Understanding of information can lead to Recall of information - which makes the patient satisfied with the consultation so they adhere to the treatment. All bar attention to information can directly lead to treatment adherence depending on patient

Question 11

Discuss how emotions can affect memory during medical consultations

Answer 11

1. Flashbulb memory at higher arousal. Patients may direct narrowed attention to emotions rather than facts
2. Patients can respond to doctors anxiety. They think the situation is more severe. They become more anxious, so remember less facts
3. Patient may ‘‘rehearse’’ emotion more than facts Doctors who are more emotional supporting can alleviate anxiety and boost recall.

Question 12

List the journey of Information in the memory processes

Answer 12

External stimuli - sensory memory - if attended to - STM - if rehearsed - LTM

Question 13

3 key points in Memory Formation

Answer 13

1. Coding
2. Storage
3. Retrieval (Cues are so vital)

Question 14

Factors that hinders recall/adherence

Answer 14

50% of patients immediately forget what they are told by their doctor

Information wont be recalled and hence not adhered to because

1. It is not attended to
2. It is not understood
3. Too much information is given
4. It is not encoded through repetition/rehearsal

Question 15

What can a doctor do to improve their patients recall

Answer 15

1. Ensure they are paying attention by making sure the environment is not distractive
2. Ask them to repeat the information, correcting any wrong details - for rehearsal
3. Ensure they are in the right emotional state. Focused on facts not emotion
4. Provide cues
5. Print out information (including relevant image aids recall)
6. Use of video