Cognitive Development II (L7)

Flashcards on Cognitive Development II, covering Brain Development, Executive Function, and Memory.

Neurons

Basic units of the nervous system that recieve, process, and transmit info.

Reception (Neuron activity)

Recieving signals from other neurons

Conduction (Neuron activity)

integrating signals within the neuron

Transmission (Neuron activity)

Sends signals to other neurons

Glial cells

Support and protects neurons. Critical to brain development.

Oligodendrocyte

A type of glial cell that produces and covers axons of neurons with myelin. Insulates the axon for efficient signal transmission

Action potential

An electrical signal that travels across neurons, allowing it to send signals to other neurons

Speed of Propagation of the Action Potential

Determined by diameter of the axon (bigger = faster)

and the presence of a myelin sheath

Grey matter (Cortical)

Neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and glial cells

(Development follows an inverted-U pattern:

thickening, peaking, then thinning)

Synaptogenesis

Process of forming new connections/synapses with neurons

Pruning

Unused synapses are eliminated

Cortical changes in infancy and early childhood

Period of rapid synaptogenesis, followed by cell death and pruning. (Another period takes place before puberty)

Synapse Adaptation

The brain's ability to change the strength/efficiency of synapses (strengthening or weakening connections based on the use)

White Matter

Long nerve fibres connecting different parts of the brain (linear growth pattern)

Myelination timing

Higher-order regions (e.g. prefrontal cortex) myelinate later, while others are earlier

Development of the Prefrontal Cortex

Late maturation: grey matter volume follows an inverted U pattern, White matter continues until early 20s.

Executive Functions

High-order cognitive processes like working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, reasoning, problem solving, planning, and attention

Working memory (EF)

Temporarily holding and processing information needed for cognitive tasks

Inhibitory control (EF)

Suppressing impulses and following the rules (self control)

Cognitive flexibility (EF)

The ability to switch between thinking about different concepts or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously.

Higher levels of EF

Reasoning

Problem solving

Planning

Implicit Memory

Unconscious retention and is stable across age

Skill learning (Implicit memory)

Riding a bike (muscle memory)

Priming (Implicit memory)

When stimuli help recognise/recall related information from memory. (head start)

Conditioning (Implicit memory)

Habitual responses

Explicit Memory

Conscious recal of information involving active recall.

Shows significant growth over childhood

Memory Strategies

Rehearsal --> Organisation --> Elaboration