Plasticity

Question 1

What is meant by plasticity?

Answer 1

The brain’s ability to adapt and change as a result of learning and experience.

Question 2

What are some of the reasons for plasticity?

Answer 2

-Learning new skills.
-Trauma to an area of the brain.
-Developmental changes.
-Indirect effects of damage e.g brain swelling.

Question 3

What is meant by synaptogenesis?

Answer 3

The idea that newborn babies gain synaptic connections quickly as they learn rapidly.

Question 4

What is meant by synaptic pruning?

Answer 4

When the brain gets rid of connections if they aren’t being used. Mainly happens with children.

Question 5

Outline Kuhn et al’s research on brain plasticity.

Answer 5

-Made a group of pps play Super Mario for 30 mins a day.
-Found that after 20 months, there was significantly more grey matter in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum.
-Grey matter helps you think more efficiently.
-Shows that due to the demands of video games, new synaptic connections are made.

Question 6

Outline Davidson et al’s research on brain plasticity.

Answer 6

-Compared Tibetan monks to control group.
-Measured level of gamma wave activity during meditation - associated with high levels of thought + focus.
-Found Tibetan monks had more gamma wave activity.
-Shows prolonged meditation creates a permanent change in the brain.

Question 7

What are 2 strengths of plasticity?

Answer 7

Research support
-Maguire et al: taxi drivers had more grey matter in their posterior hippocampus after training for ‘the knowlegde’. Also found a positive correlation between the length of time spent taxi driving and the size of the hippocampus.
-Shows gaining knowledge leads to increase grey matter.

Practical application
-Research has contributed to ‘neurorehabilitation’.
-Physical therapy can be used to continue to counter deficits in functioning after trauma .
-Improves quality of life + benefits economy.
-Real world application.

Question 8

What is one limitation of plasticity?

Answer 8

May have negative behavioural consequences.
-Development of ‘phantom limb’ syndrome means amputees experience pain in missing limb.
-Result of cortical reorganisation in the somatosensory area.
-Ability to adapt may not always be useful.