Neuroplasticity Basics
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain’s ability to change and form new connections
Which type occurs as the brain grows in childhood?
Developmental plasticity
Name the three memory stores.
Sensory, short-term, long-term
Which brain structure is responsible for encoding memories?
Hippocampus
What is observational learning?
Learning by watching others
Name ONE factor that causes neuroplasticity.
Learning / practice / experience / injury recovery
Which type helps the brain recover after injury or stroke?
Adaptive plasticity
What happens if information is not attended to in sensory memory?
It is lost
Which brain structure attaches emotions to memories?
Amygdala
Name the 5 processes of observational learning.
Attention / Retention / Reproduction / Motivation / Reinforcement
True or False: The brain cannot change after childhood
False
Learning to see or hear early in life is what type?
Experience-expectant plasticity
What process moves information into long-term memory?
Rehearsal
Where are long-term memories stored?
Neocortex
Which process involves remembering the behaviour?
Retention
What happens to neural pathways when something is practised often?
They become stronger/more efficient
Learning a unique skill like piano is what type?
Experience-dependent plasticity
How long does short-term memory last?
About 18–30 seconds
What might happen if the hippocampus is damaged?
Difficulty forming new memories
Which process involves being able to physically perform the behaviour?
Reproduction
Why is practising a skill important for learning?
It strengthens neural connections
What is the key difference between experience-expectant and experience-dependent?
Expectant = universal experiences, Dependent = individual experiences
Why might information be lost from short-term memory?
It is not rehearsed
Why are emotional memories often stronger than others?
Because the amygdala is involved
A student watches a skilled player, practises the skill, and is praised. Name TWO processes involved.
Any two of: Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation, Reinforcement