lifespan changes Flashcards
(12 cards)
: What is a critical period in development?
A time when the brain is especially sensitive to experience, allowing rapid learning—begins when structures are in place, ends when further change is no longer possible.
What types of skills are best learned during critical periods?
Perceptual (e.g., binocular vision, sound discrimination), motor (e.g., pronunciation), and language (e.g., native fluency).
What can children not easily master during early development?
Complex abstract concepts, time perception, long-term planning, and self-control
How is plasticity linked to development?
Plasticity is high during development, but some brain regions (like the frontal lobes) mature very slowly, extending into early adulthood.
: What did the Phineas Gage case show about the frontal lobes?
Damage led to major personality changes, showing the frontal lobes are key for cognitive control and social behavior.
what is frontal lobe syndrome
A condition marked by impaired goal-directed behavior and poor cognitive control, often seen after injury.
what causes neuron death during a stroke
Blocked blood vessels (lack of oxygen/glucose) or ruptured vessels (bleeding into the brain).
how can recovery happen after a stroke
With training, healthy brain regions can reorganize and form new connections to take over lost functions.
Can the adult brain reorganize after losing input (e.g., blindness)?
Yes—dendrites and axons continue to “sprout,” enabling new neural connections even in adulthood.
What structural changes occur in the brain with aging?
Loss of muscle mass, neuron death, and reduced synaptic connections.
What functional declines are linked to old age?
: Slower reaction times, decreased memory, reduced motor skills, and lower mental flexibility.
How can cognitive decline in old age be minimized?
Stay physically and mentally active, grow up in stimulating environments, and learn a variety of skills.
