Unit 7.2 DB: Learning and NeuroplasticityUnit 7.2 DB: Learning and Neuroplasticity

After reviewing the resources provided, you have seen that the nervous system changes in response to learning.  This is one form of “neuroplasticity”, meaning the nervous system may be altered (structurally or physiologically) in response to experience.  Find a scholarly journal article on how the brain changes in response to learning and experience.  Post the link to the article, share the key findings with your classmates, discuss why you think the article is important, and pose a question about the findings for your classmates to respond to.

 

 

Readings and Resources

Readings and Resources

eBook:

Powell, R. A., Honey, P. L., & Symbaluk, D. G. (2017). Introduction to learning and behavior. (5th ed.). Cengage. 

• Chapter 12 – Biological Dispositions in Learning

Articles, Websites, and Videos:

These Science Daily articles discuss the role of mirror neurons in observational learning.

• Society For Neuroscience. (2007, November 7). Mirror, mirror in the brain: Mirror neurons, self-understanding and autism research. ScienceDaily.
• University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences. (2016, September 9). Study identifies brain cells that help us learn by watching others: Neurons also fire during secret glee of schadenfreude. ScienceDaily.

This review article summarizes some of the important contributions made by Dr. Eric Kandel to the field of learning.  His pioneering research with aplysia focused on describing the cellular changes that occur in the neuron, and between neurons, during learning.

• Balakrishnan, R. (2001, June). Learning from a sea snail: Eric Kandel. Resonance.

This Science Daily article describes research by Tracy Shors, who showed that learning rescues neurons from cell death.

• Rutgers University. (2014, May 27). Learning early in life may help keep brain cells alive: Brain cells survive in young who master a task. ScienceDaily.

This review article discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and how it relates to learning and experience.

• Kaas, J. H. (2015). Neural plasticity. In J. D. Wright (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed., pp. 619-622). Elsevier.

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