LEARNING+MEMORY Flashcards
Neurohormone
hormone that is produced and released by a neuron (e.g adrenaline)
LTP - long term potentiation
strengthens synapses, which become more efficient through an increase in neurotransmitters and complementary shaped receptors
LTD - long term depression
weakening of synapses when they are not regularly used. Ensures resources are available for necessary connections.
Glutamate in learning and memory
is an excitatory neurotransmitter which increases the likelihood of a neuron firing, therefore increasing the number of action potentials and resulting in an increase in neurotransmitters in the pre synaptic neuron and receptor sites on the post synaptic neuron
Amygdala in learning and memory
amygdala is responsible for emotional and fear responses and is activated by adrenaline to remember memories of threatening situations. This leads to learning of potential dangers to help self preservation
Hippocampus
tells us why we are scared. processes memories of events, dates, experiences
Learning
a relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience
Memory
active information processing system that receives, organises, stores and recovers info when we need it
Synaptogenesis
formation of synapses as the brain develops and learns. Stimulated pathways become permanent while pathways that do not form synapses are pruned.
Experience on development
enriched experience will result in greater synapse formation, thicker cortices and dendrite development.
‘Use it or lose it.’
Neurons that are not activated by experience do not survive.
Environment on development
An enriched environment is ideal for development, as it will lead to sensory stimulation, greater synapse formation, strong neural circuits which strengthens learning/memory, leading to positive brain development
What is neural plasticity?
modifying neural circuits to meet the demands of experience and learning.
Our pathways are constantly changing in structure and function.
How does plasticity occur?
modifying strength of synaptic transmission in existing connections, growing or pruning connections, changing excitability properties of individual neurons
Factors affecting plasticity
genetic factors, plasticity, environment
glutamate and memory
glutamate is excitatory, therefore its presence will increase the likelihood of a pre synaptic neuron firing, resulting in a stronger memory.
adrenaline and memory
strength of a memory depends on its emotional significance. Adrenaline activates the amygdala which stores and processes emotion during FFF response. This results in better concentration and therefore memory of the event. We must remember responses for these events for survival purposes.
conditioning- voluntary or involuntary?
classical= involuntary operant = voluntary
classical conditioning
eg. Pavlov’s dogs
BEFORE
neutral stimulus = no response
ucs = reflex response
DURING
neutral stimulus immediately followed by the ucs many times (acquisition phase) = unconditioned response
AFTER conditioned stimulus (neutral stimulus) = conditioned response (unconditioned response)
what produces learning
reinforcement
antecedent
events before a response
acquisition phase
time period between being presented with a stimulus and receiving reinforcement
when has a link been made between stimuli?
if the reflex is produced within five seconds. If the reflex is produced after five seconds it is said that the conditioned behaviour has not been acquired.
conditioned stimulus
evokes a specific response due to learning
conditioned response
a reflex response to a previously neutral stimulus that occurs after learning has taken place
stimulus generalisation
stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response
stimulus discrimination
ability to discriminate between stimuli so only a specific stimulus produces the conditioned response
extinction
gradual decrease in the strength of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer available
spontaneous recovery
the reactivation of a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus after a period of extinction
operant conditioning
The likelihood of a behaviour recurring is determined by its consequences