Studied by 1 person
CA
Neuroplasticity is the basis of learning, neural networks will develop in response to learning
Background
Neuroplasticity
Mid-temporal area of the cortex
MRI scan
Aim
investigate whether structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing juggling routine
Participants
self selecting sample of volunteers with no prior experience of juggling
Method
Experiment, mixed design
Procedure
Sample randomly assigned jugglers and non-jugglers. Jugglers practiced 3 ball routine for 3 months and then no practice for 3 months. Control group did nothing in this time. MRI scans were preformed before, 3 months and 6 months later on all participants.
Results
No difference in brain structure between 2 groups before experiment.
After 3 months significant growth in grey matter in mid-temporal area of cortex (responsible for co-ordination).
After 3 months of non-practice grey matter decreased again but not to original size.
Conclusion
Due to the clear cause and effect relationship between learning and brain structure, it can be concluded that grey matter grows in response to environmental demands.
Further implications
Enables us to understand why some people have a harder time learning compared to others
Improves academic setting
Helps treat patients with learning disorders
Link back to question
Demonstrates that neuroplasticity is the basis of learning, the behaviour is therefore learned
Those who practiced juggling for longer experienced growth in their mid temporal cortex while the others didn’t → modified for validity in that there was only a difference in how long they practiced
Evaluation
Strengths
No researcher bias - random sampling
Replicable
Cause/Effect relationship
Weaknesses
Low ecological validity
Participant bias - self-selected
