Memory/Learning (done) + Language (not done)

What is perceptual learning

Making sense of inputs → developed by repeatedly experiencing same stimulus from different vantage points/contexts

What is motor learning

Coordinating skilled movements → developed by repeatedly performing the same action AND while asleep/resting (neural network optimization + consolidation)

What do you call memories that last…

• A few seconds

• A few seconds to minutes

• A long time, even after getting distracted

• Sensory memories

• Short term memories

• Long term memories

What is non-associative learning

“gain control” of sensory input

• Habituation = reduced physiological or behavioural response to a repeated stimulus

• Sensitization = Exposure to strong stimulus results in heightened responses to other stimuli

What are the two kinds of of stimulus-response learning? What is the difference between them?

Pavlovian (classical) conditioning:

• NO control of outcomes

• reflexive responses

• passive learning

Operant conditioning:

• Control of outcomes

• Flexible behavior/responses

• Learning from consequences

Describe Pavlovian conditioning (generally + before/during/after learning)

When a reflexive behaviour is linked to a sensory cue that was not initially hardwired to trigger it:

Before learning: Unconditioned stimulus (US) -> Unconditioned response (UR)

During learning: US + Conditioned stimulus (CS) -> UR

After learning: CS -> Conditioned response (CR)

Describe Operant conditioning/reinforcement learning

Learning from the consequences of exploratory behavior/receipt of rewards & punishments

• Stimulus that reinforces behavior = reinforcing stimulus

• Stimulus that makes behavior repetition less likely = punishing stimulus

How are “Direct transcortical connections” involved in decision making

connections from one area of the cerebral cortex to another are involved in concious thought process and the creation of complex motor sequences that are involved in deliberation or instruction

How is the basil ganglia involved in Operant conditioning?

Basil ganglia = reward center

• dopamine signal increase = strengthen behavior

• dopamine signal decrease = weaken behavior

Within the Basal Ganglia…

• Limbic circuit regulates what?

• Sensorimotor circuit encodes what?

• Associative circuit encodes what?

• Nucleus accubens → priorities and cravings

• encodes action habits

• encodes habits of thought/mind

What is stimulus-stimulus learning/rational learning

Learning relationships between stimuli/pieces of information

• Conscious(explicit) + can be verbalized

• Includes declarative memory (episodic & semantic)

What is episodic memory?

Memory of personal experiences → what you had for lunch yesterday

• Includes time, place, context

• Explicit (conscious)

• Requires the hippocampus (which helps form memories but doesn’t store them)

What is Semantic Memory?

General knowledge/facts → “Paris is the capital of france”

• Not tied to time/place + derived from repeated experiences

• Explicit (conscious)

What is Amnesia?

A memory deficit caused by brain damage or disease

Anterograde vs Retrograde amnesia

Anterograde + inability to learn/retain new information (memory from before injury = largely intact)

Retrograde = inability to remember events that occurred before the brain injury

H.M. (Amnesia)

• What part of his brain was removed?

• What kind of amnesia did he have?

• What what he able to and not able to do?

• Bilateral hippocampus removal

• severe anterograde amnesia

• Couldn’t form new explicit (episodic or semantic) memories

• Could still learn implicitly (Perceptual + Motor + Stimulus-response) → “lived in the present”