Learning

Learning

1. plasticity - alter structure and function (experience)

   • Developmental -maturation and growth
     • Synaptogenesis -pruning
     • 5 stages, proliferation(multiply), migration,(move) circuit formation(grow), circuit pruning,(eliminated) myelination (sheath)
   • Adaptive -learn & experience, structure-brain damage
     • Rerouting-new connect
     • Sprouting-bushy to make new

2. relatively permanent...experience

3. Areas of Brain associated with learning

   • Hippocampus-declarative
   • Amygdala-emotional
   • Ventral Tegmental Area-learn through operant conditioning

4. maturation and development -

   • Sensitive periods - nerves and synapses easily formed
   • Critical periods- animals (genetically programmed)
   • Reflexactions-automatic
   • Fixed action patterns-inborn
     • Species specific
   • Maturation-puberty