Sac 2 - Memory and learning Flashcards
What is learning?
Learning is a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience.
What is memory?
An active information processing system that encodes, stores and recovers information
What is synaptogenesis?
The formation of a synapse between neurons
Neural plasticity
The ability of the brains neural structure or function to be changed throughout the lifespan, generally through experience. Neural plasticity is the basis of learning and memory. During learning and memory, changes occur at the synapse.
Long term potentiation
Refers to the long lasting strengthening of synaptic connections. This results in more effective synaptic transmission between the neurons. The post-synaptic neuron becomes more and more responsive to neurotransmitters released by the pre-synaptic neuron.
- ‘cells that fire together, wire together’
Long term depression
Refers to the long lasting decreasing in strength of synaptic connections. This results from a continued lack of stimulation between neurons. The post-synaptic neuron becomes less and less responsive to neurotransmitters released by the pre-synaptic neuron.
- ‘use it or lose it’
Ethical considerations (little albert)
- voluntary participation
- informed consent
- withdrawal rights
- confidentiality
- debriefing
- psychological or physiological harm
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messages provided by neurons and released into the synaptic gap.
Neurohormones
Chemical messages produced by neurons. However, they are released into the bloodstream, then carried to other neurons or cells.
Glutamate
Enhances neural transmission by making post synaptic neurons more likely to fire. Plays an important role in synaptic plasticity, and it promotes the growth and strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons. A lack can lead to LTP.
Adrenaline
Can enhance the long term consolidation of emotional memories. This means that emotional memories are more likely to be strengthened/ strongly remembered.
Classical conditioning
A type of learning that occurs through the repeated association of two different stimuli. Three phases:
- before conditioning
- during conditioning
- after conditioning
Unconditioned stimulus
A stimulus that consistently produces a particular, naturally occuring, automatic response.
- Pavlov’s experiment - food
Unconditioned response
A reflex is an involuntary response that is predictably caused by the UCS.
- Pavlov’s experiment - salivation to food
Neutral stimulus
Stimuli that does not produce a predictable response.
- Pavlov’s experiment - bell
Conditioned stimulus
Stimulus that was neutral, but after conditioning produces a response similar to UCR.
- Pavlov’s experiment - bell
Conditioned response
Learned response produced by the CS. Same as UCR, but is produced by CS alone.
- Pavlov’s - salivation by dog with bell alone
4 conditioning responses
- Before conditioning: UCS - UCR
- Before conditioning: NS - No response
- During conditioning: NS + UCS - UCR
- After conditioning: CS - CR
Classical conditioning - Acquisition
The overall process during which an animal or person learns to associate the NS with the UCS
Classical conditioning - Stimulus generalisation
When a person or animal responds to the CS only and not any other stimulus that is similar
Classical conditioning - Extinction
The slow decrease in strength of a CR. This happens because the UCS is no longer presented along with the CS
Classical conditioning - Spontaneous recovery
Occurs when the CR reappears when the CS is presented (after extinction) following a rest period. The CR tends to be weaker than it originally was.
Little albert experiment: ethical issues - Informed consent
Alberts mother did not know about the experiment.
Little albert experiment: ethical issues - Withdrawal rights
No records showed withdrawal rights for Albert even though he suffered clear distress.
Little albert experiment result
The fear response was never extinguished. Therefore it can be assumed that Albert suffered lasting psychological harm as a result of the experiment.
Operant conditioning
Type of learning where the consequences determine the likelihood that the behaviour will be performed again. An individual will tend to repeat a behaviour that has ‘good’ consequences, or will enable it to avoid ‘bad’ consequences.
ABC
A - Antecedent
B - Behaviour
C - Consequence
ABC - Antecedent
A stimulus that occurs before the behaviour
ABC - Behaviour
The voluntary behaviour by the individual that occurs due to the antecedent
ABC - Consequence
The consequence of behaviour has an affect on whether or not the behaviour happens again
Positive reinforcement
Involves giving a positive reinforcer after the desired response has been given. Basically, a person/animal is given something desirable as a reward for doing something good.
Negative reinforcement
Involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus, in order to strengthen behaviour.
Positive reinforcement example
Giving a dog a treat when it sits
Negative reinforcement example
Using an umbrella to avoid the rain