Learning

1. Learning Nelson Psychology P154-212 Chapters 5 & 6

2. What is learning? • Relatively permanent (not temporary) • Change in behaviour (observable) • Intentional (active), Unintentional, Passive • Can be demonstrated immediately or delayed • It allows adaptation to the environment

3. Behaviours that are notlearned • Reflex • Simple • Response to threat • Fixed Action Pattern • More complex • Meet basic needs • Almost identical across a species • Maturation Behaviours • Age related • Predictable

4. Sample Questions Learning is defined as A an active information processing system B a brief change in behaviour due to interaction with the environment C a relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience D a change in behaviour that always occurs intentionally Which of the following behaviours is not a reflex action? A blinking your eyes B weaverbird nest building C laughing D salivating E A and C F B and C G B and D

5. Neuron – Basic Physiology of Memory

6. Development of Neurons Zygote = single cell egg + sperm Cells Multiply by dividing Cells also differentiate = become different specialized cells. Some are nerve cells

7. Neuron Cell Development • Glial Cells are helper cells. They support, nourish and protect neurons. • Synaptogenesis is the formation of synapses between neurons. Highest from -2 months to 2 years How? • Filopodia are on growth cones. They search for the right path to make connections Let there be synapses

8. Neural Theories • Sperry cut the optic nerve of frogs and rotated their eyeballs 180 degrees (upside down) • They would try to catch flies at the wrong angle (180 degrees off) -> The optic nerve generates to the same place (human nerves don’t regenerate) Proposed this is due to Chemoaffinity Other Theories: Blueprint, Topographic Gradient

9. Experience and Neural Development • Up to 50% of neurons die during genesis • Those that are stimulated multiply connections • Those that are not stimulated die! • Lessons for parents: provide a stimulating environment for children, including multiple languages and all senses.

10. Sample Questions • Synapse formation can be described as • A. circuit pruning. • B. proliferation of dendrites. • C. the process of myelination. • D. the creation of new neural pathways. What is the best description of how learning affects neural pathways in the brain as a child develops and learns? • A. A child is born with all synapses already formed and these remain constant throughout the lifespan. • B. As a child learns, the neurons within the brain greatly increase in number. • C. A child is born with vast numbers of synapses, many of which are modified or eliminated as a child learns. • D. A child with a special interest in reading will decrease the number of synapses in their brain that are dedicated to reading.

11. Action Potential and Neurotransmitters Inside the nerve impulse: like an electric wire -> communication is electrical inside This pulse is called an action potential. When the action potential reaches the synapse, neurotransmitters are released. -> between the neurons: chemical (neurotransmitters)(1) Excitatory -> post synaptic neuron more likely to generate an action potential (L Glutamate) (2) Inhibitory -> post synapse neuron less likely to fire (GABA) Others: Dopamine, Norepinepherine, Seratonin

12. Sample Questions • Question 20 • A key neurotransmitter important in the mechanism of learning is • A. adrenaline. • B. glutamate. • C. melatonin. • D. noradrenaline. Transmission within the neuron is ___________ but transmission between neurons is _________ • Chemical. Electrical. • Chemical. Neurontransmitter • Active. Passive. • Electrical. Chemical.

13. Brain parts and Learning Cerebellum Limbic System Limbic system is a paired structure – extends into cerebral cortex in both hemispheres

14. Frontal Lobes • Biggest Lobe • Involved in motivation • Involved in planning - Kolb & Wishaw (1990) • Learning, memory, problem solving and more!

15. Amygdala Key brain part for learning fear and anxiety responses. Close to hippocampus.

16. Hippocampus Key brain part for forming and retrieving declarative memories (not procedural) Also involved in navigation and spatial awareness

17. Cerebellum Important in learning procedural memories (skills)

18. Sample Question Some of the key areas of the brain which are involved in learning include the • A. hippocampus, amygdala and the cerebral cortex. • B. hippocampus, amygdala and the corpus callosum. • C. corpus callosum, amygdala and the cerebral cortex. • D. corpus callosum, amygdala and the cerebellum. The role of the hippocampus is in ___________, amygdala is in __________ and frontal lobe is ______________. • fear, motivation and planning, declarative memories. • motivation and planning, fear, declarative memories • declarative memories, fearmotivation and planning • motivation and planning, declarative memories, fear

19. Brain Plasticity Plasticity = adaptability, it can change. Developmental plasticity: during learning, can be due to interactions with the environment Weisel stitched kitten eyes shut . If for first month, became permanently blind. If after that, could still see. -> critical stages Parts of brain that are used grow bigger (musicians have bigger cortex) ( taxi drivers have a bigger hippocampus) New neuron cells are released over time: neurogenesis Adaptive plasticity: after damage, the brain can adapt by rewiring Children have more plasticity than adults (clip on wikispaces site) www.psychologycrc.wikispaces.com/learning/ Let there be neurons

20. Sample Questions ‘Plasticity of the brain’ refers to • A. changes in the folds and creases that are seen on the cerebral cortex. • B. the way humans adapt to the world by learning refl ex responses to threats. • C. white matter and grey matter, which are forms of soft tissue in the brain. • D. the changes to connections between neurons that occur in response to environmental stimuli. Which one of the following statements concerning plasticity of the brain is accurate? • A. Childrens’ brains show developmental plasticity only. • B. Only older, healthy, adult brains show adaptive plasticity. • C. Childrens’ brains show developmental plasticity and adaptive plasticity. • D. Older, healthy, adult brains show developmental plasticity and adaptive plasticity.