Statistical Learning - the ability to unconsciously extract patterns from sequences of stimuli over time.

What is the primary focus of sequence motor skill learning (SRT)?

Teaching a fixed sequence and measuring reaction time (RT) to see if it improves with learned sequences.

Which brain areas are primarily involved in procedural learning related to SRT tasks?

The cerebellum and the motor cortex and many other parts

What did the fMRI study by Schendan et al (2003) discover about sequence learning?

It found that participants learned the sequence structure implicitly without conscious awareness.

What brain regions are associated with implicit learning and memory according to Schendan et al (2003)?

Prefrontal cortex (PFC), basal ganglia, and medial temporal lobe.

How do amnesia patients typically perform on SRT tasks?

They showcase difficulty in implicit learning due to damage in the medial temporal lobe.

What was the effect of basal ganglia lesions on SRT learning in rats?

Basal ganglia lesions impaired SRT learning, while hippocampal lesions did not suggesting that the basal ganglia is active in learning new info

What is the main goal of the train and test phases in artificial grammar learning (AGL) experiments?

To assess the ability to generalize grammar rules and apply them to new sentences.

Which area of the brain is activated when grammatical structures are violated in AGL processing?

Both the left frontal operculum and Broca’s area.

At what age have infants been observed to exhibit AGL?

At 7 months old, with very simple grammar.

How do non-human animals like finches and tamarins demonstrate AGL?

They can learn to distinguish between different grammatical structures like ABB vs ABA.

What is word segmentation testing?

1. how different brain regions respond to speech stimuli with varying properties (e.g., stressed vs. non-stressed syllables) and how this relates to decision-making performance in a language-learning task.

What role does the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) play in learning?

It is involved in processing speech sounds and is linked to better decision-making performance in language tasks.

What does the striatum help with concerning pattern detection?

It helps recognize statistical patterns and is involved in implicit learning.

What is a critical function of the hippocampus in learning?

Forming new memories and linking sequences together.

What visual features do the lateral occipital lobes process?

Complex visual features such as shapes and letters.

What is the function of the left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (vOTC)?

Processing written words and letter sequences.

What cognitive abilities can individuals with Broca’s area lesions still exhibit?

Complex behavior or unexpected cognitive abilities despite language deficits.

What was found regarding Broca’s area involvement in learning?

It plays a role in general rule learning, sequence processing, and structured cognition.

What is the significance of higher activation in the left STG related to language tasks?

It suggests better performance in recognizing statistical patterns in speech.

What challenges do people with Broca’s aphasia face in AGL tasks?

They do not perform well in AGL tasks compared to matched non-verbal IQ groups.

Which brain area is crucial for converting visual patterns into readable units during segmentation?

Left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (vOTC).

What is situmlated in word segmentation tasks?

1. The left and right auditory cortices (including the superior temporal gyrus, STG) were activated when participants listened to speech stimuli.

2. These regions were sensitive to differences in speech stress patterns, which play a role in language learning.