plasticity of the brain

Question 1

define the plasticity of the brain

Answer 1

describes the brain tends to change and adapt as a result of experience and new learning

Question 2

what happens to the brain at 2-3 years old?

Answer 2

• the brain experiences rapid growth in the number of synaptic connections it has
• peaking at approx 15000 twice as many as adults

Question 3

what does it mean by a continual state?

Answer 3

-as we age used connections are detected and frequently used connections are strengthed in a process known as cognitive pruning = due to experience

Question 4

how can plasticity be negative

Answer 4

for example, prolonged drug use leads to poorer cognitive functioning

Question 5

Mcguire et al 2000

Answer 5

• studied the brains of London taxi drivers
• using MRI
• as training taxi drivers take complex tests called ‘the knowledge’ = which assesses the recall of the streets and possible routes

Question 6

findings Mcguire et al 2000

Answer 6

• found significantly more grey matter in the posterior hippocampus (associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills) than in the matched control group
• the longer they had been doing the job the better the results
• supports the idea of experience and learning

Question 7

evaluation of Mcguire et al

Answer 7

✓ use of MRI
✓ an attempt to study a real-world phenomenon
✓ control group allows us to say that there is a significant difference between taxi drivers and other (good design)