learning and memory Flashcards
neural plasticity
the brains ability to reorganise its neural pathways when damaged or to adapt to changing conditions.
neural plasticity is basically the umbrella term to describe the malleability of the brain and nervous system allowing the brain to be reorganised in response to experinaces over time
long term potentiation
a form of neural plasticity that leads to an increase in the efficiency of synaptic transmission.
long term depression
the reduced efficiency of synaptic transmission
memory definition
an active information processing system that receives, stores, organises and recovers information
learning definition
a relatively permanent change in behaviour (or behaviour potential) due to experience
role of neurotransmitters in memory and learning
is a chemical messenger that is made within the pre - synaptic neutron. neurotransmitters are contained within vesicles and are released at the axon terminals they will be bind to receptors on the post synaptic neuron and will either stimulate or inhibit the action potential of that neuron eliciting a biological response
- it is assumed that when we learn and form memories of the learning this involves interaction between multiple brain systems, which is enabled by both neurotransmitters and neurohormones and hormones
role of neurohormones in memory and learning
neurohormones are released by a neuron into the bloodstream
it is not as fast acting as a neurotransmitter
examples are dopamine and adrenaline
it is assumed that when we learn and form memories of the learning this involves interaction between multiple brain systems, which is enabled by both neurotransmitters and neurohormones and hormones
role of adrenaline in the consolidation of emotional memory
adrenaline activates amygdala and hippocampus which coverts emotional memory to long term
the role of glutamate in synaptic plasticity
synaptic plasticity is the term used to describe the changes that occur to synaptic connections between two or more neurons
- glutamate changes neurons so it is involved in synaptic plasticity
- pg 91 for more info
classical conditioning including its three stage process
- is where a stimulus that doesn’t elicit a response is repeatedly linked with a stimulus that does automatically get a response and the two stimuluses are paired until the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus
- response is involuntary
- passive learning
NS: produces no naturally occurring response
UCS: a stimulus that can produce a naturally occurring response
UCR: an unlearned, innate response t0 a UCS (difference with the CS is that they have a response to different things)
CS: a stimulus that produces a response after learning has occurred where the CS is paired with UCS
CR: a response that is produced by the CS after learning has taken place
stimulus generalisation classical conditioning
when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produces the conditioned response e.g.. in pavlova experiment using a different sounding bell but still getting salivation
stimulus extinction classical conditioning
the gradual decrease in strength or frequency of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer available
stimulus discrimination classical conditioning
the ability to discriminate between stimuli so that only a specific stimulus produces the conditioned response
spontaneous recovery classical conditioning
the reappearance of a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus after a period of apparent extinction
