Learning and memory

Question 1

What are the 2 main concepts of the rescorla- wagner rule

Answer 1

-Highlights the importance of surprise

-The amount learnt at any attempt to learn is proportional to the amount of surprise that you have at the outcome

Question 2

Describe prediction error in relation to rescorla wagner equation

Answer 2

measure of the discrepancy between expectation and reality

Delta V (change in the amount learnt)
V (Before we have learnt)
Y (The maximum that can be learnt)

Question 3

What is blocking and how is it evidence for the Rescorla wagner rule

Answer 3

When an outcome is already fully predicted there should be no learning (prediction error = 0)

Question 4

What is the overall concept of memory consolidation?

Answer 4

-Acquisition (learning) leads to either STM or LTM

-Learning initiates a STM trace but also a LTM process

-Its that LTM process that we refer to as memory consolidation

Question 5

Describe the role of de novo protein synthesis in relation to memory consolidation

Answer 5

-The making of new proteins in neurons within the brain

• such as within the Amygdala e.g arc

Question 6

Describe the Arc protein

Answer 6

-Evidence for this is Polski et al
-more Arc protein when learning occurs compared to no learning

-antisense (can stop a protein) when arc protein was taken away STM wasn’t affected but LTM was

Question 7

How are NDMA receptors important to memory consolidation

Answer 7

-If you block NMDA receptors you get rid of LTM but you also impair STM

-NMDA effects the learning in the first place so you cant get STM or LTM

-NMDA receptors has a link to Arc

Question 8

Why is consolidation needed? what is the basis of learning and memory

Answer 8

-Learning and memory are energy intensive

-Perhaps memory consolidation is a mechanism of only remembering only what is worth remembering in the long term