Exam 4 - Learning + Memory

neuroplasticity

ability of neurons to make relatively permanent changes in function/structure in response to internal/external environments

when is neuroplasticity most robust

in infancy

learning

acquisition of knowledge/skills which may be inferred by a change in behavior

learning reflects the capacity of the brain to....

modify its circuitry

what modifies the human brain

experience (negative or positive)

what happens at the synapse with neuroplasticity

1. more NT coming to presynaptic membrane

2. more NT being released

3. more receptors coming to post-synaptic membrane

4. higher post-synaptic potential

5. greater likelihood to trigger an EPSO

what ion mediates neuroplasticity

calcium

long term potentiation

repeated stimuli that create changes in the synapses

what mechanisms enhance learning

1. practice

2. attention

3. alerting

what are the global mental functions associated with learning

1. consciousness

2. orientation

3. temperament/personality

4. energy/drive

temperament

basic emotional disposition (stable throughout your life)

personality

typical way of responding

what special mental functions are highly variable

1. attention

2. problem solving

3. perception

4. memory

selective attention

differential processing of simultaneous sources of information

T/F - attention primes the nervous system

TRUE

disorders of selective attention

1. ADHD + ADD

2. autism

3. neglect syndrome

4. TBI

problem solving

ability to take info, process it and execute action based on it

problem solving involves what part of the brain

prefrontal cortex

steps to problem solving

1. problem recognition

2. problem identification

3. problem + situation analysis

4. selection of course of action

2 main types of learning

1. non-associative

2. associative

2 types of non-associative learning

1. habituation

2. sensitization

habituation

response decrement to repeated stimulus

- ability to recognize the relevance of stimulus

sensitization

becoming more responsive to repeated stimulus as you recognize the importance

cellular mechanism of non-associative learning

involves alteration in synaptic transmission

association learning

ability to predict relationships between stimuli

2 forms of associative learning

1. classical conditioning

2. operant conditioning

what experiment illustrates classical conditioning

pavlov

4 components of classical conditioning

1. unconditioned stimulus

2. unconditioned response

3. conditioned stimulus

4. conditioned response

operant conditioning

positive experience after a behavior is more likely to reinforce that behavior and the opposite with negative experiences

association with operant conditioning is.....

sequential

T/F - learning is tied to memory

TRUE

types of memory

1. explicit

2. implicit

types of explicit memory

1. semantic

2. source

semantic memory

long term memory associated with ability to recall words, numbers, concepts

source memory

remembering how to find something but not remembering the thing itself

types of implicit memory

1. procedural

2. autobiographical

3. episodic

procedural memory

motor memories (riding a bike)

types of autobiographical memory

1. field

2. observer

field memory

more recent memories

observer memories

older memories

episodic memory

remembering different events

types of memory processes

1. immediate

2. short term

3. long term

immediate memory

sensory memories

short term memory

coding that memory to store it

short term memory requires what structure

hippocampus

long term memory requires...

short term memory

T/F - focal lesions will largely affect long term memory

FALSE - long term memories are dispersed in the brain

short term memory is lost without...

verbal practice

how long does short term memory last

minutes

alzheimer's primarily shows damage in what structure

hippocampus

deliberate practice

conscious investment in skill improvement

reflexive long term memory

information that in encoded into long term memory without being aware of it

declarative long term memory

consciously learned or studied information