Sac 3 Flashcards
Learning…
A relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience
Memory…
The process of encoding, storage, + retrieval of info
Neuroplasticity…
The ability of the brain to change itself in response to the environment. (flexible, pliable)
Neural connections are formed, removed, and remade on a continual basis.
Neural plasticity is evident in physical changes that take place in synapse (synaptic, plasticity).
Developmental plasticity…
Development and consolidation of neural pathways.
Infants, children and adolescence due to growth and development
Developmental plasticity stage…
proliferation (division) Migration (movement) Circuit Formation (connections) Circuit pruning (Synaptic pruning: use it or lose it) Myelination (Insulation and speed)
Adaptive Plasticity…
Ability of brain to change and develop as result of new experiences
- Adults
- Can develop and recover from serious injury
- Sprouting (new neural connections)
- Re- routing (finding another connection)
Refer to case study: Jodie
Long term potentiation…
Long lasting or strengthening of synaptic connections resulting in enhanced or more effective synaptic transmission
- Lots of acton potentials flowing from one neuron to another
- Quicker
- more efficient
Long term depression…
Long lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic transmission, resulting from lack of stimulation.
LTP Extended
Strengthens neural pathways
- enhanced/ more efficient synaptic transmission
- improved overall communication between neurons
- Post synaptic neurons become more easily activated/ more responsive
- decreases likelyhood of forgetting
- allows to strengthen important/ wanted/ useful memories
LTD Extended
Weakens or decreases strength of neural pathways
- less efficient synaptic transmission
- Loss or weakening of communication between neurons
- Post synaptic neurons become less responsive/ less easily activated/less sensitive
- Increases likely hood of forgetting
- Allows us to prune or eliminate unwanted / unimportant memories
- Also provides a basis for blocking or eliminating inappropriate or unwanted feelings or behaviours.
Glutamate and plasticity…
Main excitatory neurotransmitter for memory and learning
- Promotes growth and strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons
- Vital role in LTP and LTD, The more glutamate can excite the post synaptic neuron and the more it contributes to LTP (and vice versa for LTD)
Roel of Adrenalin in learning…
Adrenalin_ Can enhance the encoding process of long term memories of emotionally arousing experiences- both pleasant and unpleasant. This has adaptive value for survival - E.g. Dog bite avoided in future
Adrenalin affects memory consolidation by activating the amygdala. Overall, adrenalin tends to enhance our memory retention.
Flash bulb memories - Detailed vvid and long lasting memories of important or emotional events in our lives
Neurotransmitters
- Released into synaptic gap
- Released quickly
Neurohormones
- REleased into circulation
- slower release
Things neurotransmitters and neurohormones have in common
- Chemical messages
- Can enhance or inhibit a response
Classical conditioning…
a simple form of learning
- occurs through repeated association of two different stimuli
- to produce a naturally occurring response (response to the stimulus which we have learned)
- learner is passive through classical conditioning
- also referred to as respondent conditioning or Pavlovian conditioning
Classical conditioning- Involuntary responses…
Things that occur naturally within us such as:
Drooling at the sight of food (salivating), Blinking when water is sprayed into eyes, butterflies just before performing.
Pavlovs experiment/theory on Classical conditioning…
Experiment with dog
Before Conditioning: unconditioned stimulus (not learnt) was the food which made the dog salivate (produces unconditioned response)
Neutral stimulus which is the bell ringing which the dog doesn’t react to (no response)
During Conditioning: The two stimuli are paired together repeatedly (bell, food,bell,food,bell,food etc)
After conditioning: When the bell is presented to the dog after this process it now becomes a (conditioned stimulus) which in turn creates a (conditioned response)
Classical conditioning elements…
Neutral stimulus: Produces no naturally occurring response
Unconditioned stimulus: Something that is presented that produces a naturally occurring response Unconditioned response)
Unconditioned response:A reaction that occurs upon presentation of an unconditioned stimulus
Conditioned stimulus: Something presented that, when repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, produces a conditioned response
Conditioned response:A reaction that occurs upon presentation of a conditioned stimulus
What are some hints/tips for identifying classical conditioning in scenario work?
Neutral stimulus and conditioned stimulus are the same thing
The unconditioned response and the conditioned response are the same, make sure to say what they were caused by/ done at
Describe these in terms of their role
Stimulus discrimination…
Is when individual only illicits a conditioned response to the original conditioned stimulus- not to other stimuli that are similar to the conditioned response
Stimulus generalisation…
The tendency for a stimulus similar to the original conditioned stimulus to produce a response that is similar to (but not necessarily identical) to the conditioned response.
Consolidation…
Consolidation - biological process of making a newly formed memory stable and enduring after learning
Short term to long term memory…
Short term to long term memory -
Requires consolidation. This can be affected by time or a disruption (e.g.. Brain trauma or illness) to the process of consolidation.
