Learning, Memory, and Intelligence

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the lecture on biological psychology related to learning, memory, and intelligence.

Memory

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus, begins to trigger a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without conditioning.

Unconditioned Response

An unlearned response that occurs naturally in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Reinforcer

An event that increases the likelihood of a behavior's recurrence.

Punishment

An event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior's recurrence.

Engram

The physical representation of memory in the brain.

Flashbulb Memory

A vivid, detailed memory of a significant event.

Working Memory

The system responsible for temporarily holding and processing information.

Hippocampus

A brain region essential for the formation of new long-term memories.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurological disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to form new memories after the onset of amnesia.

Retrograde Amnesia

The loss of memories that were formed before the onset of amnesia.

Semantic Memory

The memory of factual information.

Episodic Memory

The memory of personal experiences and specific events.

Implicit Memory

Memory that influences behavior unconsciously.

Explicit Memory

Memory involving conscious recall of facts and events.

Procedural Memory

A type of implicit memory related to skills and habits.

Hebbian Synapse

A synapse that strengthens as a result of simultaneous activity of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

An enduring increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation.

Long-Term Depression (LTD)

A prolonged decrease in the effectiveness of synapses due to low-frequency stimulation.

Place Cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that activate when an animal is in or is thinking about a specific location.

Grid Cells

Neurons that help with spatial orientation in the entorhinal cortex.

Cortical Areas

Regions of the brain involved in the processing of memory.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotion regulation and fear learning.

Parietal Lobe

Brain area implicated in the integration and processing of sensory information.

Prefrontal Cortex

Brain area associated with decision-making and social behavior.

Genetics and Intelligence

The study of how genes influence intelligence and cognitive abilities.

Brain Evolution

The developmental changes in the brain over time influenced by environmental and biological factors.

Total Number of Neurons

The total count of neurons in the brain, proposed to correlate with intelligence.

Memory Loss

A decline in the ability to recall or recognize previous information.

Neurotransmitter

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Cortisol

A hormone released during stress, affecting memory and learning.

Epinephrine

A hormone that can influence emotional memory.

Short-term Memory

The capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state.

Radial Maze

A task used to assess spatial memory in animals.

Morris Water Maze

A test to study spatial learning and memory in rats.

Learning Theory

Frameworks for understanding how learning occurs and is retained.

Neural Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Cognitive Performance

A measure of how well an individual performs various cognitive tasks.

Memory Consolidation

The process through which recent memories are transformed into long-term storage.

Amnesia

A condition characterized by memory loss.

Hippocampal Damage

Destruction or impairment of the hippocampus, affecting memory formation.