Understanding Habituation and Memory

Habituation

Getting used to a stimulus over time.

Influence on Habituation

Weak stimulus, repetition, influences habituation. Massed causes faster habituation.

Homosynaptic Processes

Processes involving the same kinds of neurons. Habituation is a homosynaptic process.

Heterosynaptic Processes

Processes leading to sensitization involving different kinds of neurons. Sensitization is a heterosynaptic process.

Dishabituation

Adding something new or changing something, requiring readjustment to the stimulus.

Hippocampus

Responsible for new and autobiographical memories.

Basal Ganglia

Responsible for learning new skills.

Thalamus

Functions as the sensory hub; all sensory info comes to the thalamus.

Amygdala

Responsible for emotional memory.

Problems with Ritalin

Potential addiction if used by non-ADHD individuals. Only for ADHD people.

Dual Process Theory

Explains short-term effects for sensitization and habituation based on stimulus intensity. Not arousing, Moderate, and Strong stimuli.

Law of Effect

Rewarded behavior is likely to reoccur.

Aplysia Habituation

Involves a withdrawal reflex and a decrease in glutamate for habituation.

Double-blind

Neither the participants nor the administrators know who gets the placebo and who gets the drug.

Single-blind

Only the participants do not know who gets a placebo and who gets the drug.

Sensory Prosthesis

Example: Cochlear implant.

Factors Influencing Forgetting

1. Lack of sleep 2. Lack of attention 3. Interference from other learning.

Distributed Representation Information Storage

When we have this information, it is stored based on the pattern of distribution across the nodes. Thus, memories are stored.

Natural Selection

Survival based on skills and resources.

Single-cell Recording

Study of the activity of a single neuron.

Ebbinghaus' Forgetting/Retention Curve

Depicts retention across time, with better retention after a short break between learning and relearning.

Occipital Damage Results

Interferes with vision if damaged. Located at the top back of the head.

Extinction Process

Gradual weakening of a learned response when the stimulus is not presented.

Primary Sensory Cortices

All information from the thalamus is sent to the primary corices for processing.

Neuron Retuning

Changes to stimuli. Part of plasticity.

Latent Learning

Unrecognized learning until it is needed.

Study Strategies

1. Good sleep 2. Paying attention 3. Taking breaks 4. Practice.

Empiricism

Knowledge based on experience and environment.

Nativism

Belief in inborn knowledge and inheritance.

Behaviorism

Focus on observable behavior.

Cognitive

Focus on thoughts and mental processes.

Place Cell

Location where the cell is.

Place Field

Preferred location for a neuron.

Cortical Plasticity

Ability to change in response to experience.

Perceptual Learning

Adaptation to small differences through repeated exposure.

David Rumelhart

Developed the connectionist model.

Sensitization

Increased response to strong stimuli and arousal.

PTSD

Can lead to lifelong sensitization if not treated.

Animal Virtual Reality-Classical Conditioning

Using virtual reality to classically condition animals.

Cerebellum

Responsible for coordinating movement.

Frontal Lobes

Responsible for speech, decision making, and impulse control.

Brainstem

Controls body temperature, breathing, and heart rate.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Used to assess brain injury.

EEG

Noninvasive method to measure brain activity.

Edward Tolman-Cognitive Maps

Connection between information in our brains.

Other Race Effect

Tendency to perceive individuals of other races as similar due to lack of exposure.

Estes-Mathematical Psychology

Contributions to mathematical psychology.

George Miller-Information Theory

Contributions to the creation of phone numbers. Involved in bringing information theory to psychology.

Parts of a Neuron

Dendrites, Cell body, Axons, Synaptic terminals, Neurotransmitters.

Acoustic Startle Reflex (Habituate)

Reflex habituates over time with repeated exposure.

Priming

Preparing the body for improved performance through warm-up.

Effects of Drugs on Neurons-Behavior of Pre/Post, NT Rate

Influence on pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron behavior and neurotransmitter clearance rate.

Tolman and Honzik-Maze Experiment

Rats performed equally well whether rewarded early or not in a maze experiment.

MS Attacks Myelin

Multiple sclerosis attacks the myelin sheath.

Massed Habituation

Faster habituation when stimuli are presented closely together.

Spaced Habituation

Slower habituation when stimuli are presented with intervals.

Ubiquity of Habituation

Widespread occurrence of habituation in various contexts.