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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Psychology => Topic started by: Fiiiiish on October 16, 2013, 05:44:53 pm

Title: plasticity, learning and allostasis query
Post by: Fiiiiish on October 16, 2013, 05:44:53 pm

Hi! A few questions came while I did my exam... I'll appreciate input of any kind!  :)

Does anyone know how to distinguish between developmental and adaptive plasticity?
With regards to learning, how much of Bandura's Social learning theory do we need to know?
When a question asks for an example to show a difference between 2 concepts, can we use 2 separate examples?
I did the TFT 2013 exam today, and it asked to show the difference between allostasis and homeostasis with an example... How would you go about it?

Title: Re: plasticity, learning and allostasis query
Post by: sandrab on October 16, 2013, 06:07:11 pm

Development plasticity refers to the changes in the brains neural structure in response to experience during growth and development.
Adaptive plasticity refers to the changes in the brains neural structure to enable adjustment to experience and compensate for lost function.

Title: Re: plasticity, learning and allostasis query
Post by: mishamigo on October 16, 2013, 10:57:56 pm

Quote from: Fiiiiish on October 16, 2013, 05:44:53 pm

Hi! A few questions came while I did my exam... I'll appreciate input of any kind!  :)

Does anyone know how to distinguish between developmental and adaptive plasticity?
With regards to learning, how much of Bandura's Social learning theory do we need to know?
When a question asks for an example to show a difference between 2 concepts, can we use 2 separate examples?
I did the TFT 2013 exam today, and it asked to show the difference between allostasis and homeostasis with an example... How would you go about it?

Bandura- this is what the study design says:

observational learning (modelling) processes in terms of the role of attention, retention,
reproduction, motivation, reinforcement as informed by Albert Bandura’s social learning theory

For a difference, try to make them as clearly related as possible. For example, (using homeostasis/allostasis): Homeostasis is the body's maintaining a stable equilibrium (state) in response to external stimuli, whereas allostasis is a process of returning to homeostasis after stress occurs, through physiological changes.
The key words (bolded) help to show the difference!
Hope this helped :)

Title: Re: plasticity, learning and allostasis query
Post by: Fiiiiish on October 17, 2013, 03:21:00 pm

Thank you!

Do you also know the roles in which the hippocampus and amygdala play in memory formation?
Please check my understanding:
The hippocampus is the location in which declarative memories are consolidated.
The amygdala adds the emotion associated with the memory.

How do the two link - does the amygdala transfer it to the hippocampus? And does the hippocampus also play a role in adding information regarding the environment in which the learning occurred?

Another question - What's the difference between the consolidation theory and LTP?  :o

Title: Re: plasticity, learning and allostasis query
Post by: mishamigo on October 17, 2013, 09:39:37 pm

Basically, the amygdala regulates emotions (eg. fear or excitement). When an event is frightening or exciting, it is more memorable than an event with no reaction, yes? (eg. you can probably remember what you did last christmas, but not what you had for dinner last Monday) The amygdala helps to activate the hippocampus, so memories with emotional content are better consolidated.

Now, the difference between consolidation and LTP... I'm not completely confident here but this is the jist: Consolidation focuses on the physical changes to the synapses (ie. more dendrites grow), while LTP is about repeated stimulation of the connection (ie. transmitting the message over and over). I'll do some research and update this when I have a better answer :)