Learning - created from Mind Map

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Learning and the Brain

A process that involves changes in neural activity

Hebb 1966

Form of learning

Hebbian Learning Rule: Repitition of the same response lead to permanenent changes at the synapses between neurons

Basic Structure of neural connection

An impulse is tramsmitted from on neuron to another by the axon of the sending neuron. Neurotrasmitter is diffused across the synaptic gap and stimulates the receiving neuron

Change in the synapse is the neural basis of learning

Making synapse more efficient

Non-associative learning

Associative Learning

Habituation

A decrease in response to a repeated stimulus

(example of the african fly)

Sensitization

An increase in response to a repeated stimulus

Clinical experiment

Kandel 1991

The marine slug

Repeated stimuli of the gill led to weaker withdrawal response- a decrease in amount of neurotransmitter by the sensory neurons

Sensitization: WHen an electric shock is presented, the withdrawal response was more aggresive, showing a change in neuro transmission between sensory and neuro system.

Eyeblink condition

Fear Conditioning

Change in synaptic transmission in the cerebellum

Thomson and Krupa (1994)

Long term depression

Long lasting decrease in synaptic transmission at the synapses in the cerebellum

Long term potential

A persistent increase in synaptic transmission in the pathway that sends impulses to the amygdala