Learning and Memory Flashcards
What is learning?
an attempt to create a memory that lasts
What is memory?
how you encode, store, and retrieve information
What is an engram?
the physical basis of memory - a pathway of cells/memory trace
How are memories established?
the formation of neuronal interconnections, susceptible to change
Distinguish between anterograde amnesia and retrograde amnesia
Anterograde - failure to store memories after trauma
Retrograde - failure to recall memories before trauma
What are the 3 stages of memory?
- Encoding
- Storage
- Retrieval
What is plasticity?
the brain’s ability to adjust its structure to reflect life’s experiences
Describe the process of neurogenesis (4)
- nerve cells form more synapses
- blood capillaries increase in the brain
- glial cells increase in size and number
- myelin sheath increases
Define neurogenesis
the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain
How does learning occur according to Pavlov and Skinner? (2)
Pavlov - classical conditioning (involuntary responses)
Skinner - operant conditioning (voluntary responses)
Describe classical conditioning (2)
conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to produce an unconditioned response
after several pairings, the conditioned stimulus alone produces a conditioned response
Describe operant conditioning
Responses are followed by reinforcement or punishment to strengthen or weaken behaviour respectively
Distinguish between positive and negative reinforcement, and punishment (3)
Positive - addition of positive stimuli to strengthen a behaviour
Negative - removal of negative stimuli to strengthen a behaviour
Punishment - addition of negative stimuli to weaken a behaviour
What was Lashley’s 1st hypothesis? (2)
Was it true or false?
learning depends on new/strengthened connections between 2 brain areas
hence, a cut somewhere in the brain interrupts that connection and destroys the learned response
Result: false
What was Lashley’s 2nd hypothesis? (2)
Was it true or false? Explain
certain portions of the cerebral cortex are more important than other for learning
hence, removing chunks of the cerebral cortex impairs learning
Result: false
Explanation: amount of tissue removed mattered, not from where it was removed
What did Lashley’s studies conclude? (2)
Learning and memory do not depend only on connections
Learning doesn’t depend only on one area
Explain Lashley’s principle of equipotentiality? (3)
all parts of the cortex contribute equally to learning
hence one part of the cortex can take over the function of another part
therefore, to destroy 1 function, the whole area must be destroyed
Explain Lashley’s principle of mass action (2)
the cortex works as a whole
hence if cortical tissue is destroyed after learning a complex task, deterioration of performance is determined by the amount of tissue destroyed
Where is engram found according to Thompson?
in the lateral interpositus nucleus of the cerebellum
Explain Thompson’s experiment regarding the LIP (3)
Classical conditioning:
tone (CS) + airpuff (UCS) –> eyeblink (UCR)
learnt response:
tone (CS) –> eyeblink (CR)
Pathway taken to the LIP:
facial nucleus –> red nucleus –> LIP
What results did Thompson’s experiment yield? (2)
Temporary inactivation of LIP blocked learning completely
Temporary inactivation of red nucleus blocked learning only during inactivation
What are the 3 types of memory?
Short term memory
Working memory
Long term memory
Define working memory
memory for temporary information required for carrying out cognitive tasks (e.g., learning)
What are the 2 types of long term memory?
Declarative (explicit) memory
Procedural (implicit) memory
