Learning & Memory Flashcards
what does learning require?
motivation, attention, and arousal
what is learning (on a graph)?
inverted U-shaped function of arousal
what is involved in arousal?
hormones
what is a question asked about hormones and learning / what does graph of performance and arousal show?
effects of hormones on learning performance
what is learning (definition)?
a process that expresses itself as an adaptive change in behaviour in response to experience
stages of learning
acquisition, consolidation, retrieval, and extinction
what is memory?
encoding, storage, and retrieval (or forgetting) of information about past experience
what can hormones affect?
any or all stages of learning and memory
types types of learning
non-associative
associative
Non-Associative Learning examples
sensitization
habituation (different from fatigue; fatigue = lower movement due to muscle wearing out)
Associative Learning examples
classical conditioning
operant conditioning
appetitive conditioning: rewarded by attainment of positive reinforcement
avoidance (aversive) conditioning: rewarded by ending negative reinforcer
- active avoidance: response required
- passive avoidance: suppression of tendency required
memory types
short-term and long-term
short-term memory
working memory - spatial and nonspatial
long-term memory
reference memory - spatial and nonspatial
procedural (implicit)
and
declarative (explicit)
procedural (implicit) long-term memory
things you know that you can show by doing
skill learning - knowing how to play the piano
priming - being more likely to use a word you heard recently
conditioning - salivating when you see a favourite food
declarative (explicit) long-term memory
Things you know that you can tell others
semantic (facts) - knowing the capitol of Australia
episodic (events) - remembering your high school graduation
Learning - Non-Associative Learning
-> repeated presentation of a single stimulus
- sensitization
- habituation
Learning - Associative Learning (or conditioning)
-> Learning about relationships
- classical conditioning (e.g. Pavlov’s dog)
- Operant conditioning (e.g. Skinner box)
- Active avoidance
- Passive avoidance
Learning - Active Avoidance
animals need to act to avoid unpleasant stimuli
e.g. a mouse might have to move to one side of the box to avoid a foot shock
Learning - Passive avoidance
animals need to inhibit a behaviour that they would otherwise display
e.g. a mouse resisting its natural urge to move to the dark part of the box when the light comes on, to avoid a foot shock in the dark compartment
what system has an important role in mediating learning and memory?
endocrine system
Effects of hormones on Learning & Memory
Epinephrine (= Adrenaline)
most studied hormone with regard to learning & memory
it enhances memory (dose- and time-dependant)
How does epinephrine affect learning and memory processes? (2 Hypotheses)
- via its effect on glucose levels
- activates peripheral receptors that influence brain function
Effects of hormones on Learning & Memory
Glucocorticoids
- acute stress enhances memory (improves recall)
- chronic stress impairs memory
- cortisol treatment increases recall of pictures
- negative stimuli more likely recalled
Morris Water Maze
- used foot shocks before went into the maze
- used foot shocks at different times (control, 2 mins, 30 mins, and 4 hours)
- elevated glucocorticoids at the time of memory assessment impairs performance
- 30mins after foot shock reduces time at target area - corresponds to the time it takes of glucocorticoids to release
Effects of hormones on Learning & Memory
Mountain Chickadee
elevated corticosterone and enhanced spatial memory in birds receiving limited and unpredictable food
Stress, performance, and sex differences
Glucocorticoids - radial-arm mazes
male mice and rats perform better on radial-arm mazes than females
chronic stress impairs male performance and enhances female performance
Effects of hormones on Learning & Memory
Oestrogens
- Oestrogens improve spatial memory performance in rats
- Oestrogens generally enhance working but not reference memory
Effects of hormones on Learning & Memory
Androgens
- positive reinforcing properties (e.g. place preference)
- Novel object recognition
- Performance of operant tasks
