Plasticity

Question 1

Plasticity

Answer 1

The brain’s ability to modify its own structure due to experience. (Can be growth from baby to adult, learning of a new skill or due to trauma)
- brain is strengthened like a muscle leading to greater neural connections/gamma waves/grey matter.

Question 2

3 ways a cognitive reserve is built

Answer 2

• life experience
• video games
• meditation

Question 3

Life experience

Answer 3

frequently used pathways gain strength, rarely used ones fade/decay.

Question 4

Old vs new thinking

Answer 4

Old thinking: A natural decline in cognitive functioning declines as we age.
New belief: If we continue to challenge our brain, we continue to strengthen it throughout life. ❗️Boyke: ⬆️ grey matter in 60 year olds that learned to juggle but once they stopped this skill, ⬇️ grey matter.

Question 5

Video games

Answer 5

These increase grey matter due to using complex cognitive and motor actions which results in greater synaptic connections between spatial awareness and planning in working memory.

Question 6

Meditation

Answer 6

Tibetan monks that meditate have higher levels of gamma waves (increased coordination of neuron activity).

Question 7

Kempemann Rat studies

Answer 7

Rats housed in enriched environments had increased neurons in the hippocampus as well as the ability to navigate from one location to another - compared to rats raised in impoverished environments (an empty cage). - animal research -

Question 8

Kempemann Rat studies

Answer 8

Rats housed in enriched environments had increased neurons in the hippocampus as well as the ability to navigate from one location to another - compared to rats raised in impoverished environments (an empty cage). - animal research -

Question 9

Maguire: London taxi drivers

Answer 9

Studied the brain activity of London drivers (using MRI and “the knowledge test”) They had a lot more grey matter than a control group (non-taxi drivers) specifically in an area of the brain associated with spatial and navigational skills.
Ppts had to complete “the knowledge test” :assessing their recall of streets and how to get to locations.
• The longer they had been doing the job, the greater the difference between them and the control group.
+ control group used (shows cause and effect)
+ Real world occurrence
+ Scientific measure (brain scanning)
- not sure if actual job caused the difference or whether certain people have these skills and are drawn to the job.