Module 2: section 5 - learning and memory

what is learning

accepting, modifying or reinforcing knowledge or skills based on experience/instruction

how is learning influenced

by using punishments and reinforcements

(positive and negative)

what is a positive punishment

giving something that will decrease a behaviour that has been performed

what is a negative punishment

taking something away that will decrease a behaviour

(a good thing is taken away)

what is positive reinforcement

giving something that will increase the appearance of a behaviour

what is negative reinforcement

taking something away to increase a behaviour

what is memory

where collected knowledge is stored to be used later on

memory traces

how neural changes that happen when learning something are stored

*hypothetical permanent change in the nervous system brought abt. by memorizing something

how are memory traces stored

as a pattern of signals transmitted across synapses in a vast network

fates of short-term memory

1. forgotten

2. transferred to long-term

steps to making a new memory

1. stimulus

2. short-term memory

3. either permanently lost, goes to the working memory or to consolidation

4. if gone to working memory or consolidation = goes to long-term memory

how long does short-term memory last

few seconds to hours

what does consolidation mean

if the knowledge is considered important, it goes here

what does working memory mean

where knowledge is temporary stored before its used

brings the short-term and long-term to work together

what is long-term memory

when the short-term memory is used and can be remembered for days to years

why are most short-term memories lost

to make way for new facts and short-term memories

what does long-term memory refer to

events, experiences, facts that happened weeks, months, years beforehand

what happens to long-term memory when the knowledge, fact is used often

are never forgotten and easily accessible

what happens to long-term memory when the knowledge is used less often

the knowledge takes longer to recall but can still be remembered

what type of memories doe the hippocampus store

“what” memories of specific people, places, facts, etc. (facts and events)

vital role in short-term memory; consolidation and the beginning of long-term memory storage

what types of memories does the cerebellum store

procedural memories; the “how to” involved with motor skills gained through repetitive training

recalled w/o conscious effort

what types of memories does the prefrontal cortex store

complex reasoning skills used with the working memory

functions needed for planning, juggling priorities, problem solving, organizing activities

how does habituation work

when something responds to something less and less due to seeing it over and over again (neither gets a punishment or reinforcement anymore)

how does sensitization work

increased responsiveness to a soft stimuli due to it following a strong/deadly stimuli