Nervous system
Which nervous system division activates the fight-or-flight response?
Sympathetic nervous system
Name ONE hormone released during stress
Cortisol or adrenaline
What are the three memory processes?
Encoding, storage, retrieval
Learning through association is called what?
Classical conditioning
Define neural plasticity.
The brain’s ability to adapt and reorganise itself
What is the role of neurotransmitters?
They transmit signals across synapse between neurons
What is the fight-or-flight response?
A physiological reaction preparing the body to respond to danger
Define retrieval failure.
Inability to access stored information
Learning through consequences is called what?
Operant conditioning
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
Strengthening of synaptic connections through repeated stimulation
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Explain how cortisol may affect memory.
High cortisol levels may impair memory retrieval and concentration
What is elaborative rehearsal?
Linking new information with existing knowledge to improve memory
Who developed observational learning theory?
Albert Bandura
Explain how repeated revision strengthens memory.
Repeated stimulation strengthens neural pathways through LTP
Explain ONE role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
It calms the body and restores homeostasis after stress
Identify TWO physiological changes during stress.
Increased heart rate, increased breathing, dilated pupils, sweating
Explain context-dependent retrieval failure.
Retrieval is harder when the retrieval environment differs from the learning environment
Explain positive reinforcement.
Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behaviour
Give ONE example of neural plasticity.
Recovery after injury or learning a new skill
During an exam, a student’s heart rate increases and palms sweat. Explain which nervous system division is responsible and why
The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response to prepare the body for action
A student becomes anxious before an exam and struggles to think clearly. Explain how stress hormones may affect cognition
Increased cortisol levels may impair concentration and memory retrieval
A student studies while listening to music but sits the exam in silence. Explain why retrieval may be difficult
Context-dependent cues present during learning are absent during retrieval
A child imitates aggressive behaviour after watching an older sibling. Which learning theory explains this?
Observational learning
Scenario: Maya experiences chronic stress during exams but improves after practising revision regularly and using stress-management strategies. Discuss TWO psychological concepts involved.
Chronic stress increases cortisol which may impair retrieval; repeated revision strengthens neural pathways through long-term potentiation