Midterm 1 Flashcards
What is Synaptogenesis?
The formation of new synapses.
What is Synaptic Pruning and when does it occur?
The elimination of weak or unnecessary synaptic connections. It is a long term process, beginning at the age six.
What is Myelination?
The development of white fatty myelin around the axon.
Draw and label a motor neuron.
Labels should include; cell body, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminal.
Who is Rene Descartes?
A French Philosopher who created the theory ‘dualism’. The main idea of dualism was that the mind and bod are two separate things. Theory was later found to be incorrect.
Who is Pierre Flourens?
A French Physiologist who introduced brain ablation experiments. This experiment was to remove brain tissue and observe the changes in behaviour.
Define independent variable
The variable that is controlled.
Define dependent variable
The variable that is measured.
Define extraneous variable
The variable that is could also cause changes to the independent variable, this is variable is usually undesired.
What is a null hypothesis?
Predicts that the independent variable has no effect on the dependent variable.
What is an alternate hypothesis?
Predicts that there will be a relationship between the independent and dependent variable. However it is not specific or detailed.
What is a hypothesis?
A prediction of what is expected to happen with an independent and dependent variable in an experiment..
Explain Nature Vs Nurture
The concept of nature vs nurture is whether particular aspects of an individual’s behaviour is either inherited or influenced/learned.
What is Neural Plasticity?
The ability to modify neural circuitry to meet the demands of experiences. It is the moulding and changing of the brain.
Explain sensitive periods and give an example.
Periods when synaptic connections are easily formed. Language development can be identified as a sensitive period, this period usually occurs up to the age of twelve.
Explain critical periods and give an example.
Periods of special sensitivity to certain environmental factors that can shape the individual’s capacity for future development. For example, a critical period is the development of visual capabilities. Critical periods can be easily impacted by teratogens.
List 5 things that enrich an environment.
Good education opportunities, safe and healthy living environment, nutritious and healthy diet, pregnancy free of teratogens and no head injuries.
List 5 things the deprive an environment.
Extreme poverty, poor diet, limited education opportunities, inadequate diet or ingested teratogens during pregnancy and head injuries.
Contrast Psychology, Psychiatry and Social Work.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, whereas psychologists only have access to prescribing medication in certain states. However, social workers are not allowed to prescribe medication at all and do not require university to perform this role.
What is Aphasia and what are the effects of it?
Aphasia is damage to the brain, resulting in the impairment of language.
What is Broca’s Aphasia and what are the effects of it?
Damage to the Broca’s area, effects the ability of expressing messages in words and sentences.
What is Wernicke’s Aphasia and what are the effects of it?
Damage to the Wernicke’s area, effects the ability to understand written and spoken languages.
Describe brain development in relation to size and age.
Birth- brain has almost all neurons it will ever have- it is a 1/4 the size of an adult’s brain.
6 months- 1/2 the size of an adult’s brain
2 years- 3/4 the size of an adult’s brain
6 years- 90-95% of an adult’s brain
Mid 20s- Reached adult size
Sequence the development norms: Walk, Crawl, Stand, Pull Self Up, Sit, Roll Over
Roll over, crawl, sit up, pull self up, stand, walk
