Long-Term Learning & Memory Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience

These flashcards cover key concepts related to long-term learning and memory from behavioral neuroscience.

Hippocampus

The region of the brain associated with memory, located in the medial region of the temporal lobe.

Consolidation

The process of storing information or events in the brain; forming long-term memories.

Explicit memories

Memories that can be consciously recalled, including episodic and semantic memories.

Episodic memory

Multi-sensory personal experiences of events.

Semantic memory

Information or facts that have been learned.

Implicit memories

Memories that are not consciously recalled, including skill learning and classical conditioning.

Skill learning

Movements learned such as riding a bike or dance choreography.

Classical conditioning

Learned association between two things, such as the dentist and pain.

Amnesia

The inability to remember information or details about an experience.

Retrograde amnesia

Forgetting memories from before hippocampus damage occurred; very long-term memories often remain intact.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories following damage to the hippocampus.

Cortical neurons

Neurons in the brain cortex that activate in response to sensory information.

Synaptic plasticity

The strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity.

Retrieval cue

A stimulus that aids in the recall of a memory.

Standard Model of Memory Consolidation

Suggests that hippocampal neurons aren’t needed to preserve old memories.

Multiple Trace Model

Suggests that old memories have more links to hippocampal neurons.

Re-consolidation

The process of modifying memories when they are retrieved.

False memories

Inaccurate recollections that can develop after repeated interference with a memory.

Distributed Network Model

States that memories activate a pattern of neurons rather than a single neuron.

Localist Network Model

States that single neurons are assigned to specific memories with no overlap.

Place cells

Neurons in the hippocampus that activate while in specific locations.

Place fields

Regions of an environment that a specific neuron responds to.

Concept neurons

Neurons that respond to specific concepts or categories.